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Title: Simulation of convective transport during frequency chirping of a TAE using the MEGA code

Journal Article · · Nuclear Fusion
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2]; ORCiD logo [3]; ORCiD logo [4]; ORCiD logo [5]
  1. Australian National Univ., Canberra, ACT (Australia); Institute for Fusion Studies, The University of Texas at Austin
  2. National Inst. of Natural Sciences, Gifu (Japan)
  3. Australian National Univ., Canberra, ACT (Australia)
  4. Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States)
  5. Australian National Univ., Canberra, ACT (Australia); Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (Australia)

Here, we present a procedure to examine energetic particle phase-space during long range frequency chirping phenomena in tokamak plasmas. To apply the proposed method, we have performed self-consistent simulations using the MEGA code and analyzed the simulation data. We demonstrate a traveling wave in phase-space and that there exist specific slices of phase-space on which the resonant particles lie throughout the wave evolution. For non-linear evolution of an n = 6 toroidicity-induced Alfvén eigenmode (TAE), our results reveal the formation of coherent phase-space structures (holes/clumps) after coarse-graining of the distribution function. These structures cause a convective transport in phase-space which implies a radial drift of the resonant particles. We also demonstrate that the rate of frequency chirping increases with the TAE damping rate. Our observations of the TAE behavior and the corresponding phase-space dynamics are consistent with the Berk–Breizman theory.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States). Inst. for Fusion Studies
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS); National Institute for Fusion Sciences (NIFS)
Grant/Contract Number:
FG02-04ER54742
OSTI ID:
1867575
Journal Information:
Nuclear Fusion, Journal Name: Nuclear Fusion Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 62; ISSN 0029-5515
Publisher:
IOP ScienceCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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