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Title: Curvature effect on tearing modes in presence of neoclassical friction

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4829038· OSTI ID:22218424
; ; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. CEA, IRFM, F-13108 Saint Paul-lez-Durance (France)
  2. Centre de Physique Théorique, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS (France)

Neoclassical physics (here associated to the poloidal variation of the magnetic field strength along field lines in a tokamak) is well known for driving self-generated plasma current and nonlinear magnetic islands associated to it in high performance, ITER relevant plasma discharges. It is demonstrated that the neoclassical friction between a magnetic perturbation and plasma flow already impacts magnetic islands in the linear regime, by inducing a weakening of curvature stabilization for tearing modes. This conclusion holds in particular for regimes where convection is influencing the pressure dynamics, as shown using a simple analytical model and confirmed in full Magneto-Hydro-Dynamics simulations.

OSTI ID:
22218424
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 20, Issue 11; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English