Strong Nonlinear Effects in the Dynamics of Tearing Modes Controlled by Electron Cyclotron Current Drive

Author

Lazzaro, Enzo

Author_Institution

Ist. di Fis. del Plasma P. Caldirola, CNR, Milan, Italy

Volume

39

Issue

11

fYear

2011

Firstpage

3002

Lastpage

3003

Abstract

The 2-D time-dependent response of a tearing mode magnetic island to a radio frequency (RF)-driven current may lead to strong nonlinear effects. An extended magnetohydrodynamics model shows first the prompt appearance of current sheets tending to shield the RF current effect and, subsequently, a nonlinear filamentation of the island structure that eventually proceeds in the coalescence of secondary islands.

Keywords

Tokamak devices; filamentation instability; fusion reactor ignition; plasma electromagnetic wave propagation; plasma magnetohydrodynamics; plasma nonlinear processes; plasma radiofrequency heating; plasma toroidal confinement; plasma transport processes; tearing instability; RF driven current; current sheets; electron cyclotron current drive; extended magnetohydrodynamic model; island structure nonlinear filamentation; radiofrequency driven current; secondary island coalescence; strong nonlinear effects; tearing mode dynamics; tearing mode magnetic island 2D time dependent response; Magnetic noise; Magnetic shielding; Magnetohydrodynamics; Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy; Plasmas; Saturation magnetization; Magnetic reconnection; magnetohydrodynamics; plasma stability; tokamaks;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0093-3813

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TPS.2011.2158660

Filename

5934429