Study of giant edge-localized modes in DIII-D and comparison with ballooning theory

Journal Article · Mon Oct 03 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.61.1603· OSTI ID:6789369

Gohil, P; Ali Mahdavi, M; Lao, L; Burrell, K H; Chu, M S; DeBoo, J C; Hsieh, C L; Ohyabu, N; Snider, R T; Stambaugh, R D; others, and

In DIII-D H-mode plasmas, large amplitude modulation of steep edge electron pressure gradients are observed during the occurrences of giant edge-localized modes (ELM's). For a considerable range of plasma currents (1 to 2 MA), the experimental pressure gradient before a giant ELM is close to the theoretically predicted marginal stability limit for the first regime of the ideal ballooning mode. These results, together with observations showing that ELM's originate in the region of bad curvature, strongly suggest that ELM's are triggered by ballooning mode instabilities.

• Research Organization: General Atomics, San Diego, California 92138
• OSTI ID: 6789369
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 61:14; ISSN PRLTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
700108 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
BALLOONING INSTABILITY
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
INSTABILITY
OSCILLATION MODES
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
PLASMA PRESSURE
PRESSURE GRADIENTS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOKAMAK DEVICES