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Observation of nonlinear neoclassical pressure-gradient--driven tearing modes in TFTR

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
; ; ; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, P.O. Box 451, Princeton, New Jersey 08543 (United States)
A detailed comparison is made between the tearing-type modes observed in TFTR supershot plasmas and the nonlinear, neoclassical pressure-gradient--driven tearing mode theory. Good agreement is found on the nonlinear evolution of single helicity magnetic islands ({ital m}/{ital n}=3/2, 4/3, or 5/4, where {ital m} and {ital n} are the poloidal and toroidal mode numbers, respectively). The saturation of these neoclassical tearing-type modes requires {Delta}{prime}{lt}0 (where {Delta}{prime} is the well-known parameter for classical current-driven tearing instability), which is also consistent with the numerical calculation using the experimental data.
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-92ER54139; AC02-76CH03073
OSTI ID:
69288
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 74; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English