Experimental data obtained on the TCABR tokamak (R = 0.61 m, a = 0.18 m) with an electrically polarized electrode, placed at r = 0.16 m, is reported in this paper. The experiment was performed with plasma current of 90 kA (q = 3.1) and hydrogen gas injection adjusted for keeping the electron density at 1.0 × 1019 m−3 without bias. Time evolution and radial profiles of plasma parameters with and without bias were measured. The comparison of the profiles shows an increase of the central line-averaged density, up to a maximum factor of 2.6, while Hα hydrogen spectral line intensity decreases and the C III impurity stays on the same level. The analysis of temporal behaviour and radial profiles of plasma parameters indicates that the confined plasma enters the H-mode regime. The data analysis shows a maximum enhanced energy confinement factor of 1.95, decaying to 1.5 at the maximum of the density, in comparison with predicted Neo–Alcator scaling law values. Indications of transient increase of the density gradient near the plasma edge were obtained with measurements of density profiles. Calculations of turbulence and transport at the Scrape-Off-Layer, using measured floating potentials and ion saturation currents, show a strong decrease in the power spectra and transport. Bifurcation was not observed and the decrease in the saturation current occurs in 50 µs.

Zonal flows and their high-frequency counterpart, the geodesic acoustic modes (GAMs) are considered as a possible mechanism of the plasma turbulence self-regulation. In the T-10 tokamak GAMs have been studied by the heavy ion beam probing and multipin Langmuir probes. The wide range of the regimes with Ohmic, on-axis and off-axis electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) were studied (B t = 1.5-2.4 T, I p = 140-300 kA, ne = (0.6-6.0) × 10 19 m −3 , P EC < 1.2 MW). It was shown that GAM has radially homogeneous structure and poloidal m = 0 for potential perturbations. The local theory predicts that f GAM ∼ √ T /m i /R, that means the frequency increases with the decrease of the minor radius. In contrast, the radial distribution of experimental frequency of the plasma potential and density oscillations, associated to GAM, is almost uniform over the whole plasma radius, suggesting the features of the nonlocal (global) eigenmodes. The GAM amplitude in the plasma potential also tends to be uniform along the radius. GAMs are more pronounced during ECRH, when the typical frequencies are seen in the narrow band from 22 to 27 kHz for the main peak and 25-30 kHz for the higher frequency satellite. GAM characteristics and the range of GAM existence are presented as functions of T e , density, magnetic field and P EC .

No abstract

By using the full electromagnetic drift kinetic equations for electrons and ions, the general dispersion relation for geodesic acoustic modes (GAMs) is derived incorporating the electromagnetic effects. It is shown that m = 1 harmonic of the GAM mode has a finite electromagnetic component. The electromagnetic corrections appear for finite values of the radial wave numbers and modify the GAM frequency. The effects of plasma pressure βe, the safety factor q, and the temperature ratio τ on GAM dispersion are analyzed.

In this paper, the effects of light impurities, such as deuterium, helium, or carbon, on Alfvén wave dispersion characteristics are explored. It is shown that a small population of light impurities in a hydrogen plasma modify the dispersion of the global Alfvén waves and the Alfvén continuum in such a way that the wave frequency depends weakly on the toroidal wave number. It is also shown that the global Alfvén wave enters into the Alfvén continuum. Under these conditions, it is possible to heat plasma efficiently by employing an antenna with a broad toroidal wavelength spectrum. The relationship between impurity concentration and the efficiency of Alfvén wave heating is explored. Under appropriate conditions, the results indicate that in the presence of impurities, Alfvén waves can heat electrons predominantly in the central part of the plasma. This effect is explored via a series of numerical calculations of the heating specifically for the Phaedrus-T Alfvén wave heating experiment [Phys. Fluids B 5, 2506 (1993)].

A new regime of runaway discharges has been found in TCABR (Tokamak Chauffage Alfvén Brésilien). This regime is obtained by initiating the discharge with low filling pressure and, after the initial current rise, maintaining a large filling rate. The line density reaches a maximum value around 2 × 10 19 m −3 , during the current ramp-up phase, and then drops by a factor of around four in the quasi-stationary phase of the discharge, when a new regime is achieved. The most distinctive features of this regime, as compared to 'conventional' runaway discharges reported in the literature, are (i) maintenance of the runaway discharge, with the plasma current almost entirely provided by the runaway beam, in a cold background plasma and with strong neutral gas injection; (ii) enhancement of the relaxation instability with strong spikes in the Hα emission and loop voltage correlated with sawtooth relaxation of the line density; and (iii) plasma detachment from the limiter. A simple phenomenological model, based upon straightforward particle and energy balance calculations, is proposed to explain the experimental observations. According to this model, the plasma is rather cold and the short pulses of gas ionization and the related density spikes are due to sudden plasma heating caused by the relaxation instability. Furthermore, it seems that the runaway generation for the conditions of the experiments can be explained only if the secondary generation process is invoked.

A general form of the time-averaged ponderomotive force produced by radio frequency waves in magnetized plasma configurations is treated. Included in the ponderomotive force are components that result from plasma flow, the dynamo effect, and wave helicity. A detailed description of effects of individual components in the ponderomotive force on radio frequency (RF) driven transport and current is given.

No abstract