Direct Observation of Nonlinear Coupling between Pedestal Modes Leading to the Onset of Edge Localized Modes

Diallo, A.; Dominski, J.; Barada, K.; Knolker, M.; Kramer, G. J.; McKee, G.

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.235001

Title: Direct Observation of Nonlinear Coupling between Pedestal Modes Leading to the Onset of Edge Localized Modes

Journal Article · 02 December 2018 · Physical Review Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.235001 · OSTI ID:1485145

Diallo, A. ^[1]; Dominski, J. ^[1]; Barada, K. ^[2]; Knolker, M. ^[1]; Kramer, G. J. ^[1]; McKee, G. ^[3]

Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)

Prior to eruptive events such as edge localized modes (ELMs), quasicoherent fluctuations, referred to as pedestal modes, are observed in the edge of fusion devices. We report on the investigations of nonlinear coupling between these modes during quasistationary inter-ELM phases leading to the ELM onset. Three dominant modes, with density and magnetic signatures, are identified as key players in the triggering mechanism of certain classes of ELMs. We demonstrate that one of these modes is amplified by the two others through three wave interactions. The amplified mode is radially shifted relative to the other two modes towards the last-closed flux surface as the ELM event approaches. Here, our results suggest that nonlinear coupling of pedestal modes, associated with radial distortions pushing out of the pedestal, is a possible mechanism for the triggering of low frequency ELMs relevant for future fusion devices.

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Research Organization:: General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States); Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) (SC-24)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-09CH11466; FC02-04ER54698; FG02-08ER54984; FG02-08ER54999

OSTI ID:: 1485145

Journal Information:: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 121; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO

Publisher:: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Experimental observation of coexisting electromagnetic fluctuations correlating with the inter-ELM pedestal evolution on EAST Lan, H.; Chen, R.; Xu, G. S. Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 26, Issue 12 https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5123734	journal	December 2019
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