Drift mode growth rates and associated transport

Drift mode linear growth rates and quasilinear transport are investigated using the FULL kinetic stability code [Rewoldt et al., Phys. Plasmas 5, 1815 (1998)] and a version of the Weiland transport model [Strand et al., Nucl. Fusion 38, 545 (1998)]. It is shown that the drift mode growth rates (as well as the marginal stability temperature gradient) obtained using the FULL code are dependent on the accuracy of the equilibrium employed. In particular, when an approximate equilibrium model is utilized by the FULL code, the results can differ significantly from those obtained using a more accurate numerical equilibrium. Also investigated are the effects of including full electron physics. It is shown, using both the FULL code and the Weiland model, that the nonadiabatic (e.g., trapped) electron response produces a significant increase in the linear growth rate of the ion-temperature-gradient (ITG) driven branch of the drift instability. Other consequences of the nonadiabatic electron response include a reduction in the marginal temperature gradient for the onset of the ITG mode and an additional contribution to transport due to the excitation of the Trapped Electron Mode (TEM). Physical explanations are given for the sensitivity of the mode growth rates to the equilibrium and the nonadiabatic electron response. Finally, linear growth rates for the ITG mode computed using the FULL code are compared with growth rates obtained using the Weiland model.