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Theoretical aspects of the nonlinear interaction of drift-type instabilities in a plasma

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6898004
Various theoretical aspects of plasma turbulence are explored in the context of low frequency drift-type instabilities in toroidally confined plasmas. Of central importance is consideration of the random phase approximation - its role and validity in plasma turbulence theories. Linear theory is first considered to find the criteria for marginal stability of the toroidal ion temperature gradient drift mode. Analytic criteria for the onset of instability giving the dependence on wavenumber, magnetic curvature, and temperature gradient are derived from the drift kinetic equation with the grad-B and curvature drift resonances retained.
OSTI ID:
6898004
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English