Ion temperature gradient turbulence in helical and axisymmetric RFP plasmas

Journal Article · Fri May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4921645· OSTI ID:22410311

Predebon, I. ^[1]; Xanthopoulos, P. ^[2]

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1. Consorzio RFX, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova (Italy)
2. Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, Wendelsteinstraße 1, 17491 Greifswald (Germany)

Turbulence induced by the ion temperature gradient (ITG) is investigated in the helical and axisymmetric plasma states of a reversed field pinch device by means of gyrokinetic calculations. The two magnetic configurations are systematically compared, both linearly and nonlinearly, in order to evaluate the impact of the geometry on the instability and its ensuing transport, as well as on the production of zonal flows. Despite its enhanced confinement, the high-current helical state demonstrates a lower ITG stability threshold compared to the axisymmetric state, and ITG turbulence is expected to become an important contributor to the total heat transport.

• OSTI ID: 22410311
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 22, Issue 5; Other Information: (c) 2015 EURATOM; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
AXIAL SYMMETRY
HEAT TRANSFER
ION TEMPERATURE
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA INSTABILITY
REVERSED-FIELD PINCH DEVICES
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
TURBULENCE