Multi-channel transport experiments at Alcator C-Mod and comparison with gyrokinetic simulations

A. E. White, N. T. Howard, M. Greenwald, M. L. Reinke, C. Sung, S. Baek, M. Barnes, J. Candy, A. Dominguez, D. Ernst, C. Gao, A. E. Hubbard, J. W. Hughes, Y. Lin, D. Mikkelsen, F. Parra, M. Porkolab, J. E. Rice, J. Walk, S. J. WukitchAlcator C.Mod Team

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

Multi-channel transport experiments have been conducted in auxiliary heated (Ion Cyclotron Range of Frequencies) L-mode plasmas at Alcator C-Mod [Marmar and Alcator C-Mod Group, Fusion Sci. Technol. 51(3), 3261 (2007)]. These plasmas provide good diagnostic coverage for measurements of kinetic profiles, impurity transport, and turbulence (electron temperature and density fluctuations). In the experiments, a steady sawtoothing L-mode plasma with 1.2 MW of on-axis RF heating is established and density is scanned by 20%. Measured rotation profiles change from peaked to hollow in shape as density is increased, but electron density and impurity profiles remain peaked. Ion or electron heat fluxes from the two plasmas are the same. The experimental results are compared directly to nonlinear gyrokinetic theory using synthetic diagnostics and the code GYRO [Candy and Waltz, J. Comput. Phys. 186, 545 (2003)]. We find good agreement with experimental ion heat flux, impurity particle transport, and trends in the fluctuation level ratio (Te / T e) / (ne / n e), but underprediction of electron heat flux. We find that changes in momentum transport (rotation profiles changing from peaked to hollow) do not correlate with changes in particle transport, and also do not correlate with changes in linear mode dominance, e.g., Ion Temperature Gradient versus Trapped Electron Mode. The new C-Mod results suggest that the drives for momentum transport differ from drives for heat and particle transport. The experimental results are inconsistent with present quasilinear models, and the strong sensitivity of core rotation to density remains unexplained.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number056106
JournalPhysics of Plasmas
Volume20
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2013
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Condensed Matter Physics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Multi-channel transport experiments at Alcator C-Mod and comparison with gyrokinetic simulations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this