Nonlinear generation of zonal flows by ion-acoustic waves in a uniform magnetoplasma

It is shown that large-scale zonal flows (ZFs) can be excited by Reynolds stress of nonlinearly interacting random phase ion-acoustic waves (EIAWs) in a uniform magnetoplasma. Since ZFs are associated with poloidal sheared flows, they can tear apart short scale EIAW turbulence eddies, and hence contribute to the reduction of the cross-field turbulent transport in a magnetized plasma.     

Zonal flows, GAM, and radial electric field in the H-1 heliac

Experimental results on the role of zonal flows and geodesic acoustic modes in formation of transport barriers in the H-1 heliac are reviewed. Presented at the Workshop “Electric Fields, Structures and Relaxation in Edge Plasmas”, Roma, Italy, June 26–27, 2006.     

Nonlinear interactions between drift waves and zonal flows

Phase coherent interactions between drift waves and zonal flows are considered. For this purpose, mode coupling equations are derived by using a two-fluid model and the guiding center drifts. The equations are then Fourier analyzed to deduce the nonlinear dispersion relations. The latter depict the excitation of zonal flows due to the ponderomotive forces of drift waves. The flute-like zonal flows with insignificant density fluctuations have faster growth rates than those which have a finite wavelength along the magnetic field direction. The relevance of our investigation to drift wave driven zonal flows in computer simulations and laboratory plasmas is discussed. Received 5 April 2002 Published online 28 June 2002     

Dynamics of fully nonlinear drift wave-zonal flow turbulence system in plasmas

We present numerical simulations of fully nonlinear drift wave-zonal flow (DW-ZF) turbulence systems in a nonuniform magnetoplasma. In our model, the drift wave (DW) dynamics is pseudo-three-dimensional (pseudo-3D) and accounts for self-interactions among finite amplitude DWs and their coupling to the two-dimensional (2D) large amplitude zonal flows (ZFs). The dynamics of the 2D ZFs in the presence of the Reynolds stress of the pseudo-3D DWs is governed by the driven Euler equation. Numerical simulations of the fully nonlinear coupled DW-ZF equations reveal that short scale DW turbulence leads to nonlinear saturated dipolar vortices, whereas the ZF sets in spontaneously and is dominated by a monopolar vortex structure. The ZFs are found to suppress the cross-field turbulent particle transport. The present results provide a better model for understanding the coexistence of short and large scale coherent structures, as well as associated subdued cross-field particle transport in magnetically confined fusion plasmas.     

Effect of scalar nonlinearity on zonal flow generation by Rossby waves

Effects of scalar nonlinearity on the generation of zonal flow by Rossby waves in shallow rotating fluid are considered. Zonal flows are generated via the action of Reynolds stress due to vector nonlinearity together with the effects of scalar nonlinearity. It is shown that the scalar nonlinearity reduces the amplitude threshold of the zonal flow instability. In addition, it increases the range of wave vectors of unstable modes subjected to the instability. The growth rate of the instability as a function of the spectrum of primary waves is calculated. The spectrum is assumed to be arbitrary with emphasizing the case of two monochromatic waves.     

Generation of zonal flows by interchange modes in a plasma

The generation of zonal flows by flute-like interchange modes in a nonuniform magnetoplasma is considered. The guiding center particle drifts are then used to derive a system of coupled mode equations. The latter are Fourier analyzed to obtain a nonlinear dispersion relation, which exhibits the excitation of zonal flows by the ponderomotive force of the interchange modes. The growth rate of the parametrically driven zonal flows is obtained. Received 26 July 2002 Published online 24 September 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: ps@tp4.ruhr-uni-bochum.de     

Enhancement of the guide field during the current sheet formation in the three-dimensional magnetic configuration with an X line

Results are presented from studies of the formation of current sheets during exciting a current aligned with the X line of the 3D magnetic configuration, in the CS-3D device. Enhancement of the guide field (parallel to the X line) was directly observed for the first time, on the basis of magnetic measurements. After the current sheet formation, the guide field inside the sheet exceeds its initial value, as well as the field outside. It is convincingly demonstrated that an enhancement of the guide field is due to its transportation by plasma flows on the early stage of the sheet formation. The in-plane plasma currents, which produce the excess guide field, are comparable to the total current along the X line that initiates the sheet itself.     

Equilibrium of a gravitating plasma in a dipolar magnetic field

The equilibria of plasma in a dipolar magnetic field under the gravitational influence of a massive body (a star or black hole) and a self gravitating plasma are considered. Analytical solutions are found that can be useful for understanding the physics of plasma flows in accretion disks and star formation.     

A DC probe diagnostics for fast electron temperature measurements in tokamak edge plasmas

The tunnel probe is a new kind of Langmuir probe for use in the tokamak scrape-off layer. It provides simultaneous measurements of electron temperature and parallel ion current density with high frequency at the same point in space. We describe ongoing work to characterize the ion flows within the probe, and to calibrate the diagnostics using 2D kinetic simulations. Presented at 5th Workshop “Role of Electric Fields in Plasma Confinement and Exhaust”, Montreus, Seitzerland, June 23–24, 2002.     

Numerical Simulation of Dust Void Evolution in Complex Plasmas with Ionization Effect

We develop the nonlinear theory of dust voids [Phys. Rev. Lett. 90 （2003） 075001], focusing particularly on effects of the ionization, to investigate numerically the void evolution under cylindrical coordinates [Phys. Plasmas 13 （2006） 064502]. The ion velocity profile is solved by a more accurate ion motion equation with the ion convection and ionization terms. It is shown that the differences between the previous result and the one obtained with ionizations are significant for the distributions of the ion and dust velocities, the dust density, and etc., in the void formation process. Furthermore, the ionization can slow down the void formation process effectively.     

Out-of-plane bipolar and quadrupolar magnetic fields generated by shear flows in two-dimensional resistive reconnection

Shear flows perpendicular to the anti-parallel reconnecting magnetic field are often observed in magnetosphere and interplanetary plasmas, and in laboratory plasmas toroidal differential rotations can also be generated in magnetic confinement devices. Our study finds that such shear flows can generate bipolar or quadrupolar out-of-plane magnetic field perturbations in a two-dimensional resistive MHD reconnection without the Hall effects. The quadrupolar structure has otherwise been thought a typical Hall MHD reconnection feature caused by the in-plane electron convection. The results will challenge the conventional understanding and satellite observations of the signature of reconnection evidences in space plasmas.     

Electrostatic solitons in unmagnetized hot electron-positron-ion plasmas

Linear and nonlinear electrostatic waves in unmagnetized electron-positron-ion (e-p-i) plasmas are studied. The electrons and positrons are assumed to be isothermal and dynamic while ions are considered to be stationary to neutralize the plasma background only. It is found that both upper (fast) and lower (slow) Langmuir waves can propagates in such a type of pair (e-p) plasma in the presence of ions. The small amplitude electrostatic Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) solitons are also obtained using reductive perturbation method. The electrostatic potential hump structures are found to exist when the temperature of the electrons is larger than the positrons, while the electrostatic potential dips are obtained in the reverse temperature conditions for electrons and positrons in e-p-i plasmas. The numerical results are also shown for illustration. The effects of different ion concentration and temperature ratios of electrons and positrons, on the formation of nonlinear electrostatic potential structures in e-p-i plasmas are also discussed.     

Small-scale turbulence in a closed-field-line geometry

Plasma turbulence due to small-scale entropy modes is studied with gyrokinetic simulations in a simple closed-field-line geometry, the Z pinch, in low-beta parameter regimes that are stable to ideal interchange modes. We find an enormous variation in the nonlinear dynamics and particle transport as a function of two main parameters, the density gradient and the plasma collisionality. This variation is explained in part by the damping and stability properties of spontaneously formed zonal flows in the system. As in toroidal systems, the zonal flows can lead to a strong nonlinear suppression of transport below a critical gradient that is determined by the stability of the zonal flows.     

The Rossby wave extra invariant in the physical space

It was found out in 1991 that the Fourier space dynamics of Rossby waves possesses an extra positive-definite quadratic invariant, in addition to the energy and enstrophy. This invariant is similar to the adiabatic invariants in the theory of dynamical systems. For many years, it was unclear if this invariant—known only in the Fourier representation—is physically meaningful at all, and if it is, in what sense it is conserved. Does the extra conservation hold only for a class of solutions satisfying certain constraints (like the conservation in the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation)? The extra invariant is especially important because this invariant (provided it is meaningful) has been connected to the formation of zonal jets (like Jupiter’s stripes).In the present paper, we find an explicit expression of the extra invariant in the physical (or coordinate) space and show that the invariant is indeed physically meaningful for any fluid flow. In particular, no constraints are needed. The explicit form also enables us to note several properties of the extra invariant.     

Generation and stability of zonal flows in ion-temperature-gradient mode turbulence

We address the mechanisms underlying zonal flow generation and stability in turbulent systems driven by the electrostatic ion-temperature-gradient (ITG) mode. In the case of zonal flow stability, we show the poloidal flows typical of numerical simulations become unstable when they exceed a critical level. Near marginal stability of the linear ITG mode, the system can generate zonal flows that are sufficiently weak to remain stable and sufficiently strong to suppress the linear ITG mode. This stable region corresponds to the parameter regime of the nonlinear Dimits up-shift.     

HL-2A装置中的带状流三维特性研究和探针设计

HL-2A装置边缘等离子体测地声模带状流的三维特征采用外中平面上三组三台阶探针阵列组成具有环向、极向和径向分辨的独特结构的探针系统进行了研究.其中两组具有极向距离为65mm的三台阶5探针阵列组成极向带状流10探针组,另一组电动式带状流6探针阵列与带状流10探针组之间的环向距离为800mm. 此外,采用快速往复气动6探针组研究了磁分界面附近的温度、密度、雷诺协强及其径向分布.在HL-2A装置上同时观测到测地声模带状流(频率f=7kHz)的极向和环向对称性(m≈0,n 关键词： 三台阶式ZF探针 带状流 三维空间结构     

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利用往返式朗缪尔探针组在HL-2A装置等离子体边缘首次同时观测到明显的低频(ƒ=0~5kHz)和测地声模(ƒ=16kHz)带状流的极向和环向对称性(m~0,n~0),径向结构及其传播特征。并同时推算出流的径向波矢(Kr-LF=0.6 cm-1,Kr-GAM=2cm-1)。双谱分析的结果表明低频和测地声模带状流的形成可能都是由于高频湍流和这种流之间的非线性三波耦合引起的。初步研究了电子回旋加热功率和边界安全因子引起带状流幅度的变化。此外,也观测了带状流幅度在径向方向的改变。     

Collisional damping of ETG-mode-driven zonal flows

We study collisional damping of electron zonal flows in toroidal electron temperature gradient (ETG) turbulence due to the friction between trapped and untrapped electrons. With the assumption of adiabatic ions, the collisional damping is shown to occur on fast time scales approximately 0.24epsilon(1/2)tau(e). The comparison with the growth rate of electron zonal flows indicates that the shearing by electron zonal flows is unlikely to be a robust mechanism for regulating ETG turbulence. This finding vitiates the claims of several simulation studies that have ignored the effects of collisional damping of electron zonal flows and offers a possible partial explanation of the high levels of electron thermal transport observed in the National Spherical Torus Experiment.     

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采用流体模型理论推导了等熵平衡条件下环向转动托卡马克等离子体中带状流的色散关系。从理论上分析了环向转动对测地声模、低频带状流和声波的频率、压力和密度扰动量的影响。结果表明,环向转动对低频带状流的频率没有影响,但会使测地声模的频率逐渐增大。此外,存在环向转动时,低频带状流会具有驻波形式的压力和密度扰动量,且测地声模和声波可以沿着极向传播。而且还发现,等熵平衡可以看成是等温平衡的一种特殊情况。