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The relationships amongst azimuthal flow, radial particle transport and turbulence on the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) are explored through the use of biasable limiters which continuously modify the rotation of the plasma column. Four quarter annulus plates serve as an iris-like boundary between the cathode source and the main plasma chamber. Application of a voltage to the plates using a capacitor bank drives cross-field current which rotates the plasma azimuthally in the electron diamagnetic direction (EDD). With the limiters inserted, a spontaneous rotation in the ion diamagnetic direction is observed; thus, increasing biasing tends to first slow rotation, null it out, then reverse it. This experiment builds on previous LAPD biasing experiments which used the chamber wall as the biasing electrode rather than inserted limiter plates. The use of inserted limiter biasing rather than chamber wall biasing allows for better cross-field current penetration between the plasma source and the electrodes which in turn allow for a finer variation of applied torque on the plasma. The modification of plasma parameter profiles, turbulent characteristics, and radial transport are tracked through these varying flow states. Azimuthal flow radial profiles are peaked at the limiter edge. Consequently, the variation in flow states also results in variation of sheared flow. Improved radial particle confinement is observed in states with sheared flow regardless of the direction of rotation. This improvement is indicated by both steepened density profiles and decreased radial particle flux. Conversely, a confinement degradation is seen in the minimum sheared flow state. Comparison of density fluctuation power and crossphase between density and radial velocity fluctuations show that both quantities are suppressed by sheared flow, but that the density fluctuation suppression is dominant and contributes most to the decrease in radial particle flux. Also, some observed changes to density and flux profiles suggest disagreement with a purely local model of transport including the formation of a hollow density profile at state of high flow (high bias) and regions where the direction of measured flux is opposite to that predicted by the direction of density gradient. Changes in flux and density gradient with bias are correlated but in a way that is inconsistent with a Fick's Law like model. Changes in turbulent spectra and features are observed with modification of the rotation state. Log-linear spectra with rotation in either azimuthal direction tends to exhibit a linear slope for power versus frequency and versus wavenumber, while spectra curves in the null flow case have an upward concave shape. Time traces corresponding to these spectra indicate a clear presence of Lorentzian structures in flow states but not in the null flow state. Spectral density histograms, showing the distribution of density fluctuation power in both frequency and wavenumber space, indicate that the modes tend to propagate azimuthally in the same direction as the flow. This suggests a large contribution of rotational interchange instability to the plasma turbulence. Regions with significant flow exhibit spectral density distributions which follow narrow curves in frequency and wavenumber space, much like a dispersion relation line. Regions without flow (either the null flow state or the plasma core) have broader, more diffuse distributions. A pair of coherent modes develop with rotation in the EDD direction. The mode fluctuation power peaks at the limiter edge; since maximum flow is observed at the limiter edge, the modes are most likely flow driven. Comparison with a linear Braginskii-fluid model eigenfunction solver supports this conclusion. The lower frequency mode---first observed at about 1-2kHz---is identified as a pure interchange mode while the higher frequency mode---first observed at about 5-6kHz---is determined to be a coupled drift-wave interchange mode. The frequency of these modes increases with flow velocity; the appearance of sideband modes in the frequency spectra also suggests that these mode begin to interact.
Particle transport is an important topic in plasma physics. It determines the density profile of a burning plasma within a tokamak a magnetic confinement device. Microscopic turbulent particle transport is two orders of magnitude larger than other transport mechanisms for electrons and small ions. In order to confine a plasma in a tokamak with a core density that exceeds the fusion criteria, it is essential to study turbulent particle transport. This thesis investigates how different plasma parameters such as the toroidal rotation and microscopic instabilities affect turbulent particle transport in the DIII-D tokamak. First, we show how toroidal rotation can indirectly affect particle transport, through its contribution to the radial electric field and thus the E B shearing rate. The plasma discharge which has best confinement is the one whose E B shearing rate is larger than or at least similar to the growth rates that drive turbulent transport at the plasma edge. Second, for the first time on DIII-D, we observe a correlation between electron density gradient and instability mode frequency in the plasma core. We find that, when the turbulence is driven by the ion temperature gradient (ITG), the local density gradient increases as the the absolute frequency of the dominant unstable mode decreases. Once the dominant unstable mode switches over to the trapped electron mode (TEM) regime, the local density gradient decreases again. As a result the density gradient reaches a maximum when the mode has zero frequency, which is corresponds to the cross over from ITG to TEM. This correlation opens a new opportunity for future large burning plasma devices such as ITER to increase the core density by controlling the turbulence regime. Finally, we show that, in low density regime, a reduction in core density is observed when electron cyclotron heating (ECH) is applied. This reduction is not the result of a change in turbulence regime nor the result of a change in the density gradient in the core. Through detailed time-dependent experimental analysis, linear gyro-kinetic simulations, and comparison to turbulence measurements we show that this reduction in core density is the result of an increase in turbulence drive at the plasma edge.
Theory and modelling with direct numerical simulation and experimental observations are indispensable in the understanding of the evolution of nature, in this case the theory and modelling of plasma and fluid turbulence. Plasma and Fluid Turbulence: Theory and Modelling explains modelling methodologies in depth with regard to turbulence phenomena a
For a few seconds with large machines, scientists and engineers have now created the fusion power of the stars in the laboratory and at the same time find the rich range of complex turbulent electromagnetic waves that transport the plasma confinement systems. The turbulent transport mechanisms created in the laboratory are explained in detail in the second edition of 'Turbulent Transport in Magnetized Plasmas' by Professor Horton.The principles and properties of the major plasma confinement machines are explored with basic physics to the extent currently understood. For the observational laws that are not understood — the empirical confinement laws — offering challenges to the next generation of plasma students and researchers — are explained in detail. An example, is the confinement regime — called the 'I-mode' — currently a hot topic — is explored.Numerous important problems and puzzles for the next generation of plasma scientists are explained. There is growing demand for new simulation codes utilizing the massively parallel computers with MPI and GPU methods. When the 20 billion dollar ITER machine is tested in the 2020ies, new theories and faster/smarter computer simulations running in near real-time control systems will be used to control the burning hydrogen plasmas.
Three experiments are conducted to study the effect of the turbulent waves on the transport of fast ions and thermal plasmas. In the first experiment, strong drift wave turbulence with linear geometry is observed in the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) on density gradients produced by a plate limiter. Energetic lithium ions orbit through the turbulent region. Scans with a collimated ion analyzer and with Langmuir probes give detailed profiles of the fast ion spatial distribution and the fluctuating fields. The fast-ion transport decreases rapidly with increasing fast-ion gyroradius. Unlike the diffusive transport caused by Coulomb collisions, in this case the turbulent transport is super-diffusive. Analysis and simulation suggest that such super-diffusive transport is due to the interaction of the fast ions with the low-frequency two-dimensional electrostatic turbulence. The second experiment studies the dependence of the fast ion transport on the nature of the turbulent waves. Strong turbulent waves with cylindrical geometry are observed in the LAPD on density gradients produced by an annular obstacle. The characteristics of the fluctuations are modified by changing the plasma species from helium to neon, and by modifying the bias on the obstacle. Different spatial structure sizes and correlation lengths (Lcorr) of the wave potential fields alter the fast ion transport. The effects of electrostatic fluctuations are reduced due to gyro-averaging, which explains the difference in the fast-ion transport. A transition from super-diffusive to sub-diffusive transport is observed when the fast ion interacts with the waves for most of a wave period, which agrees with theoretical predictions. The transport of thermal plasmas under electrostatic waves is explored in the third experiment. Sheared azimuthal flow is driven at the edge of a magnetized plasma cylinder through edge biasing. Strong fluctuations of density and potential are observed at the plasma edge, accompanied by large density gradient. Edge turbulence and cross-field transport are modified by changing the bias voltage on the obstacle and the axial magnetic field strength. In cases with low V bias and large Bz, improved plasma confinement is observed, along with steeper edge density gradients. The radially sheared flow induced by E x B dramatically changes the cross-phase between density and potential fluctuations, which causes the wave-induced particle flux to reverse its direction across the shear layer and forms a transport barrier. In cases with higher bias voltage or smaller Bz large radial transport and rapid depletion of the central plasma density are observed. Two-dimensional cross-correlation measurement shows that a mode with azimuthal mode number m=1 and large radial correlation length dominates the outward transport in these cases. Linear analysis based on a two-fluid Braginskii model suggests that the fluctuations are driven by both density gradient and flow shear at the plasma edge.
This book revisits the long-standing puzzle of cross-scale energy transfer and dissipation in plasma turbulence and introduces new perspectives based on both magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and Vlasov models. The classical energy cascade scenario is key in explaining the heating of corona and solar wind. By employing a high-resolution hybrid (compact finite difference & WENO) scheme, the book studies the features of compressible MHD cascade in detail, for example, in order to approximate a real plasma cascade as “Kolmogorov-like” and to understand features that go beyond the usual simplified theories based on incompressible models. When approaching kinetic scales where plasma effects must be considered, it uses an elementary analysis of the Vlasov–Maxwell equations to help identify the channels through which energy transfer must be dissipated. In addition, it shows that the pressure–strain interaction is of great significance in producing internal energy. This analysis, in contrast to many other recent studies, does not make assumptions about wave-modes, instability or other specific mechanisms responsible for the dynamics – the results are direct consequences of the Vlasov–Maxwell system of equations. This is an important step toward understanding dissipation in turbulent collisionless plasma in space and astrophysics.
Turbulence, and turbulence-driven transport are ubiquitous in magnetically confined plasmas, where there is an intimate relationship between turbulence, transport, instability driving mechanisms (such as gradients), plasma flows, and flow shear. Though many of the detailed physics of the interrelationship between turbulence, transport, drive mechanisms, and flow remain unclear, there have been many demonstrations that transport and/or turbulence can be suppressed or reduced via manipulations of plasma flow profiles. This is well known in magnetic fusion plasmas [e.g., high confinement mode (H-mode) and internal transport barriers (ITB's)], and has also been demonstrated in laboratory plasmas. However, it may be that the levels of particle transport obtained in such cases [e.g. H-mode, ITB's] are actually lower than is desirable for a practical fusion device. Ideally, one would be able to actively feedback control the turbulent transport, via manipulation of the flow profiles. The purpose of this research was to investigate the feasibility of using both advanced model-based control algorithms, as well as non-model-based algorithms, to control cross-field turbulence-driven particle transport through appropriate manipulation of radial plasma flow profiles. The University of New Mexico was responsible for the experimental portion of the project, while our collaborators at the University of Montana provided plasma transport modeling, and collaborators at Lehigh University developed and explored control methods.
Provides unique coverage of the prediction and experimentationnecessary for making predictions. Covers computational fluid dynamics and its relationship todirect numerical simulation used throughout the industry. Covers vortex methods developed to calculate and evaluateturbulent flows. Includes chapters on the state-of-the-art applications ofresearch such as control of turbulence.
Plasma Science and Engineering transforms fundamental scientific research into powerful societal applications, from materials processing and healthcare to forecasting space weather. Plasma Science: Enabling Technology, Sustainability, Security and Exploration discusses the importance of plasma research, identifies important grand challenges for the next decade, and makes recommendations on funding and workforce. This publication will help federal agencies, policymakers, and academic leadership understand the importance of plasma research and make informed decisions about plasma science funding, workforce, and research directions.