Transport barrier and spinning blob dynamics in the tokamak edge

Cheng, Junyi; Myra, James; Ku, Seung-Hoe; Hager, Robert; Chang, Choong-Seock; Parker, Scott

doi:10.1088/1741-4326/acdf01

Title: Transport barrier and spinning blob dynamics in the tokamak edge

Journal Article · 26 June 2023 · Nuclear Fusion

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-4326/acdf01 · OSTI ID:1986350

Cheng, Junyi;

; Ku, Seung-Hoe; Hager, Robert; Chang, Choong-Seock; Parker, Scott

Abstract In this work, we investigate the dynamics of plasma blobs in the edge of magnetic confinement devices using a full-f gyrokinetic particle-in-cell code with X-point geometry. In simulations, the evolution of a seeded blob is followed as it approaches a naturally-forming zonal shear layer near the separatrix, where the blob is stabilized by a large spin induced by the self-consistent adiabatic electron response, and blob bifurcation and trapping are observed during the cross-field propagation of blobs. A new theoretical explanation in both the zonal free and zonal shear layer is constructed, where the dominant $E \times B$ spin motion is included. A theoretical condition for a transport barrier induced by the interaction between spinning blobs and the zonal shear layer is obtained, and its scaling is verified with simulations. The new theoretical framework, especially the transport barrier, is applicable to explain and predict various experimental phenomena. In particular, the transport barrier condition calculated with experimental parameters demonstrates that the blob radial transport for H mode is smaller than L mode in experiments.

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Research Organization:: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-05CH11231; AC02-09CH11466; AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1986350

Journal Information:: Nuclear Fusion, Journal Name: Nuclear Fusion Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 63; ISSN 0029-5515

Publisher:: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: IAEA

Language:: English

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70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
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Title: Transport barrier and spinning blob dynamics in the tokamak edge

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