Fluctuations and turbulence in an electric field bumpy torus plasma

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.329078· OSTI ID:6530539

Roth, J R; Krawczonek, W M; Powers, E J; Kim, Y C; Hong, J Y

In this experiment, strong radial electric fields were imposed along the minor radius of a steady-state bumpy torus plasma by biasing it with electrodes maintained at kilovolt potentials. Digitally implemented spectral analysis techniques were used to experimentally investigate the characteristics of the fluctuations of plasma number density and electrostatic potential below the ion plasma and ion cyclotron frequencies. The dispersion relation between w and k for azimuthally propagating waves was determined experimentally, and, when linear, was consistent with the E/B drift velocity. Above 100 kHz, the power spectra of both density and potential fluctuations obeyed a power law of the form P(w) a w/sup -p/. The spectral index p of this plasma turbulence assumed values which varied with operating conditions. The fluctuations of density and potential ranged from highly coherent rotating spokes, to highly turbulent conditions with a Gaussian distribution in amplitude.

• Research Organization: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37916
• OSTI ID: 6530539
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 52:4; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
ANNULAR SPACE
CHARGE DENSITY
CONFIGURATION
CYCLOTRON RESONANCE
DATA
DATA ANALYSIS
DIGITAL SYSTEMS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRODES
ELECTROSTATICS
EQUATIONS
FREQUENCY RANGE
INFORMATION
KHZ RANGE
PLASMA
RESONANCE
SPACE
SPECTRA
TOROIDAL CONFIGURATION
TURBULENCE
VARIATIONS