Suppression of plasma turbulence during optimized shear configurations in JET

Correlation of density turbulence suppression and reduced plasma transport is observed in the internal transport barrier (ITB) region of JET tokamak discharges with optimized magnetic shear. The suppression occurs in two stages. First, low frequency turbulence and ion transport are reduced across the plasma core by a toroidal velocity shear generated by intense auxiliary heating. Then with the ITB formation, high frequency turbulence and electron transport are reduced locally within the steep pressure gradient region of the ITB.     

Evolution of lower-hybrid-driven current during the formation of an internal transport barrier

Evolution of the lower-hybrid(LH)-driven current profile was measured during the formation of an internal transport barrier (ITB) in a reversed magnetic shear discharge. As the ITB developed, the initially centrally peaked LH-driven current profile gradually turned hollow and was sometimes accompanied by an off-axis peak in the electron temperature profile. These observations indicate the concentration of LH power deposition to the ITB for this case as a result of nonlinear coupling between the LH waves and the target plasma.     

Stability of tokamak plasmas with internal transport barriers against high n ideal magnetohydrodynamic ballooning mode

A ballooning mode equation for tokamak plasma, with the toroidicity and the Shafranov shift effects included, is derived for a shift circular flux tokamak configuration. Using this equation, the stability of the plasma configuration with an internal transport barrier （ITB） against the high n （the toroidal mode number） ideal magnetohydrodynamic （MHD） ballooning mode is analysed. It is shown that both the toroidicity and the Shaftanov shift effects are stabilizing. In the ITB region, these effects give rise to a low shear stable channel between the first and the second stability regions. Out of the ITB region towards the plasma edge, the stabilizing effect of the Shaftanov shift causes the unstable zone to be significantly narrowed.     

The Influence of Stochastic Layers of Magnetic Field Lines on Transport Barrier Formation in a Stellarator System

The results of local measurements of RF discharge plasma parameters in the process of internal transport barriers (ITB) formation in the vicinity of rational magnetic surfaces in the Uragan-3M torsatron are presented. The following phenomena were observed in the process of ITB formation: widening of the radial density distribution, formation of plateaus on radial density and electron temperature distributions, formation of regions with high shear of poloidal plasma rotation velocity and radial electric field in the vicinity of stochastic layers of magnetic field lines, decrease of density fluctuations and their radial correlation length, decorrelation of density fluctuations, and increase of the bootstrap current.After the ITB formation, the transition to the improved plasma confinement regime takes place. The transition moves to the beginning of the discharge with the increase of heating power. The possible mechanism of ITB formation near rational surfaces is discussed.     

Bifurcation phenomena of a magnetic island at a rational surface in a magnetic-shear control experiment

Three states of a magnetic island are observed when the magnetic shear at the rational surface is modified using inductive current associated with the neutral beam current drive in the Large Helical Device. One state is the healed magnetic island with a zero island width. The second state is the saturated magnetic island with partial flattening of the T(e) profile. The third state is characterized by the global flattening of the T(e) profile in the core region. As the plasma assumes each of the three states consecutively through a bifurcation process a clear hysteresis in the relation between the size of the magnetic island and the magnetic shear is observed.     

Quasisteady high-confinement reversed shear plasma with large bootstrap current fraction under full noninductive current drive condition in JT-60U

A quasisteady reversed shear plasma with a large bootstrap current fraction ( approximately 80%) has been obtained for the first time in the JT-60U tokamak. The shrinkage of reversed shear region was suppressed by the bootstrap current peaked at the internal transport barrier (ITB) layer and the ITBs at a large radius were sustained, which, by combination with an H-mode edge pedestal, resulted in a high confinement or 2.2 times the H-mode scaling for 6 times energy confinement time or 2.7 s. Furthermore, a full noninductive current drive was obtained by the bootstrap current and the beam driven current.     

Stability of internal transport barriers to ideal MHD ballooning modes

Internal transport barriers (ITB) in tokamaks can form near a minimum in the q profile, q(min), where magnetic shear is weak. We have analyzed their stability to short wavelength (n>1, where n is the toroidal mode number) ideal MHD ballooning modes, by considering the s-alpha model equilibrium. We show that the ballooning transformation fails in regions of low shear but that one can then adopt a complementary approach based on the recurrence relation describing the toroidal coupling of radially localized modes on adjacent rational surfaces. Inclusion of the stabilizing effects of favorable average curvature or finite-n using this technique leads to stable high-pressure ITB configurations. The theory also shows the advantages of operating with low-order rational values of q(min).     

Poloidal rotation dynamics, radial electric field, and neoclassical theory in the jet internal-transport-barrier region

Results from the first measurements of a core plasma poloidal rotation velocity (upsilontheta) across internal transport barriers (ITB) on JET are presented. The spatial and temporal evolution of the ITB can be followed along with the upsilontheta radial profiles, providing a very clear link between the location of the steepest region of the ion temperature gradient and localized spin-up of upsilontheta. The upsilontheta measurements are an order of magnitude higher than the neoclassical predictions for thermal particles in the ITB region, contrary to the close agreement found between the determined and predicted particle and heat transport coefficients [K.-D. Zastrow, Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 46, B255 (2004)]. These results have significant implications for the understanding of transport barrier dynamics due to their large impact on the measured radial electric field profile.     

Determination of q=1 surface by the variation of pellet ablation rate on the HL-1M

Strong drop of Hα emission has been observed on the HL-1M tokamak by means of a detector array while a pellet crosses the q=1 surface. In this article, the q=1 surface has been determined precisely by the interval and the shape of the Hα emission striations on the pellet trajectory due to the variation of pellet ablation rate. The q-profile and current density distribution at the plasma centre region have been calculated according to the pellet ablation rate and the magnetic shear feature.     

Interaction between plasma and electromagnetic field in ion source of 10 cm ECR ion thruster

Through diagnosing the plasma density and calculating the intensity of microwave electric field, four 10 cm electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion sources with different magnetic field structures are studied to reveal the inside interaction between the plasma, magnetic field and microwave electric field. From the diagnosing result it can be found that the plasma density distribution is controlled by the plasma generation and electron loss volumes associated with the magnetic field and microwave power level. Based on the cold plasma hypothesis and diagnosing result, the microwave electric field intensity distribution in the plasma is calculated. The result shows that the plasma will significantly change the distribution of the microwave electric field intensity to form a bow shape. From the boundary region of the shape to the center, the electric field intensity varies from higher to lower and the diagnosed density inversely changes. If the bow and its inside lower electric field intensity region are close to the screen grid, the performance of ion beam extracting will be better. The study can provide useful information for the creating of 10 cm ECR ion source and understanding its mechanism.     

Evidence of relaxation and spontaneous transition to a high-confinement state in high-beta steady-state plasmas sustained by rotating magnetic fields

Evidence of relaxation has appeared, for the first time, in the extremely high-beta, steady-state field-reversed configuration plasma states driven by rotating magnetic fields (RMF) in the translation, confinement, and sustainment experiment. The plasma self-organizes into a near-force-free state in the vicinity of the magnetic axis, with significant improvement in confinement. Associated with this change in magnetic topology is the appearance of an axial RMF component; this would, in turn, generate a current drive in the poloidal direction, thus sustaining the magnetic helicity. A newly developed two-dimensional "equilibrium-lite" model is employed to analyze the magnetic properties of the final high-confinement state, and shows a large q and a significant magnetic shear in the core.     

Dynamics of the transport barrier formation on the FT-2 tokamak caused by lower hybrid heating

Experiments at the FT-2 tokamak had demonstrated effective plasma LH heating, which was accounted for by both direct absorption of RF power and plasma transport suppression. The improved core confinement accompanied by Internal Transport Barrier (ITB) formation was observed. The RF pulse switch off is followed by triggering of LH transition and the External Transport Barrier (ETB) formation near the last closed flux surface. The present paper is devoted to a much more detailed study of the radial electric fieldE _r behaviour in the region of ITB and ETB and its influence on the tokamak microturbulence in these regions. The new experimental data were obtained by spatial spectroscopic technique using additional pulse helium puffing in hydrogen plasma. Simultaneously microscale plasma oscillations in the frequency band (0.01–2) MHz are observed with local enhanced microwave scattering diagnostics and by x-mode fluctuation reflectometry. Experiments demonstrate that the improved confinement is associated with the modification of microturbulence by the shear of theE×B poloidal velocity. This conclusion is also confirmed by the data obtained by Langmuir probes in the edge plasma. Presented at 5th Workshop “Role of Electric Fields in Plasma Confinement and Exhaust”, Montreux, Switzerland, June 23–24, 2002”. The study was performed with the support of the Ministry of General and Professional Education of RF (TOO-7.4-2797), INTAS-01-2056 and the RFBR Grants 00-02-16927, 01-02-17926 and 02-02-17684.     

Ab initio calculation of strain effect on the magnetic properties of the thiogermanate [(CH3)4N]2FeGe4S10

The magnetic properties of the thiogermanate TMA(2)FeGe(4)S(10) (TMA=[(CH(3))(4)N](+)), and the influence of large strain are investigated by ab initio density functional theory calculations. An analysis of the electronic structure is provided considering antiferromagnetic (AFM), ferromagnetic (FM) and nonmagnetic configurations for the thiogermanate at the equilibrium states. A small difference in total energy between the FM and AFM states suggests that the thiogermanate TMA(2)FeGe(4)S(10) may possess a low Curie temperature. Changes in electronic structure and magnetic moment of the thiogermanate under strain are closely related to the distortion of FeS(4) tetrahedral units. With the help of a simplified molecule model, we show that, while the origin of the drastic change in magnetism under high isotropic compressions mainly originates from the decrease in the Fe-S interatomic bond length, the changes in the electronic structure between - 10% and + 15% isotropic strains are mainly due to the variations of the interatomic bond angles. Little effect of shear strain on the magnetic properties is found since the FeS(4) tetrahedral units rotate under shear, hence keeping their shape.     

EAST H模等离子体中离子内部输运垒特性 的初步实验研究

为了研究EAST上H模等离子体中离子内部输运垒(ITB)的特性，利用电荷交换复合光谱诊断，分析了离子ITB形成和稳态阶段等离子体离子温度和环向旋转速度的时空演化。结果表明，在离子ITB形成和稳定期间，ITB肩部附近(R=1.928m)的离子温度梯度增加时，ITB区域(R=1.984m)的离子温度梯度会有所降低，反之亦然。考虑到在离子ITB形成前，芯部区域不同半径位置的离子温度梯度同时增加或减小，得到了在R=1.984m处判断离子ITB是否形成的归一化离子温度梯度的阈值。     

Modeling of a lower-hybrid current drive by including spectral broadening induced by parametric instability in tokamak plasmas

By incorporating parametric instabilities of lower hybrid (LH) waves into a ray-tracing Fokker-Planck code, accurate simulations of the LH deposition profiles are provided, which are useful for interpreting the long-lasting internal transport barriers (ITBs) sustained by lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) on JET (Joint European Torus). Utilizing the new model, the simulation of the q-profile evolution results in agreement with that provided by the motional Stark effect reconstructed equilibria. Low magnetic shear (s approximately equal to 0) is produced by LHCD in a layer close to the ITB radial foot.     

磁控直流辉光等离子体放电特性

本文利用单探针诊断等离子体参数来研究自行设计的磁控直流辉光等离子体实验装置的放电特性, 从而得出电子密度与气体压强、电子密度分布与磁场位型以及磁场强度等的关系. 另外, 用有限元的方法对线圈通电产生的磁场进行数值计算, 模拟出不同接线方式的两种磁场位型分布. 通过实验得出这两种不同的位型的磁场均对等离子体的状态有一定的“控制”作用, 而且这种“控制”作用与现有理论相符合.     

Topology of toroidal helical fields in non-circular cross-sectional tokamaks

The ordinary differential magnetic field line equations are solved numerically; the tokamak magnetic structure is studied on Hefei Tokamak-7 Upgrade （HT-TU） when the equilibrium field with a monotonic q-profile is perturbed by a helical magnetic field. We find that a single mode （m, n） helical perturbation can cause the formation of islands on rational surfaces with q=m/n and q=（m±1,±2,±3,...）/n due to the toroidicity and plasma shape （i.e. elongation and triangularity）, while there are many undestroyed magnetic surfaces called Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser （KAM） barriers on irrational surfaces. The islands on the same rational surface do not have the same size. When the ratio between the perturbing magnetic field Br（r） and the toroidal magnetic field amplitude Bφ0 is large enough, the magnetic island chains on different rational surfaces will overlap and chaotic orbits appear in the overlapping area, and the magnetic field becomes stochastic. It is remarkable that the stochastic layer appears first in the plasma edge region.     

W(110)基底上的铁纳米岛初始自发磁化态的微磁学模拟

用微磁学模拟研究W(110)基底上铁纳米岛的初始自发磁化态的磁畴结构,确定了不规则形状、椭圆形和矩形岛中不同磁畴态之间的各向异性常数的临界点,得到了纳米岛的磁化态作为各向异性常数和厚度函数的完整相图,相图中存在一较宽的过渡区,把双畴态与涡旋态和菱形态分开,过渡区两侧的边界是不确定的.计算结果表明,初始自发磁化态的磁畴结构主要由各向异性及岛的厚度决定,而且岛的边沿形状对涡旋态和菱形态的磁畴结构有重要影响.准确的铁纳米岛的各向异性常数仍有待于进一步确定. 关键词： 初始自发磁化磁畴结构 铁纳米岛 微磁学模拟 各向异性     

Double-gap Alfvén eigenmodes: revisiting eigenmode interaction with the alfvén continuum

A new type of global shear Alfvén eigenmode is found in tokamak plasmas where the mode localization is in the region intersecting the Alfvén continuum. The eigenmode is formed by the coupling of two solutions from two adjacent gaps (akin to potential wells) in the shear Alfvén continuum. For tokamak plasmas with reversed magnetic shear, it is shown that the toroidicity-induced solution tunnels through the continuum to match the ellipticity-induced Alfvén eigenmode so that the resulting solution is continuous at the point of resonance with the continuum. The existence of these double-gap Alfvén eigenmodes allows for potentially new ways of coupling edge fields to the plasma core in conditions where the core region is conventionally considered inaccessible. Implications include new approaches to heating and current drive in fusion plasmas as well as its possible use as a core diagnostic in burning plasmas.     

高性能自持燃烧的氘氚等离子体

在等离子体密度分布一定的情况下，从电子、离子的能量输运方程出发，对常规剪切和中心负剪切位形下高性能自持燃烧的氘氚等离子体进行了研究.常规剪切下采用与能量约束改善因子H有关的Bohm热传导系数，中心负剪切下采用一个与磁剪切有关的Bohm-gyro-Bohm混合型的热传导系数，并考虑了α粒子反常扩散和动态反馈加热对氘氚自持燃烧的影响.研究结果表明，常规剪切下当H≥3时，才有较大的能量输出，当H接近4时无须动态反馈加热氘氚就能获得自持燃烧；在中心负剪切位形下，等离子体的运行性能更高，有更高的能量输出，一旦氘氚达 关键词： 高性能等离子体 氘氚自持燃烧 中心负剪切