Comment on "Electromagnetic Global Gyrokinetic Simulation of Shear Alfven Wave Dynamics in Tokamak Plasmas" [Phys. Plasmas 14, 042503 (2007)]

TL;DR

This paper critically discusses a recent gyrokinetic simulation study, clarifying its relation to prior work, raising concerns about electron physics inclusion with magnetic shear, and exploring alternative methods due to algorithm limitations.

Contribution

It provides a critical commentary on the methodology and applicability of a recent electromagnetic gyrokinetic simulation study in tokamak plasmas.

Findings

Highlights the relation to prior publications on electron physics in gyrokinetics.

Raises concerns about the inclusion of kinetic electrons with magnetic shear.

Discusses alternative approaches due to algorithm limitations.

Abstract

This comment clarifies the relation of the research in a recently published article [Phys. Plasmas 14, 042503 (2007)] to other prior publications addressing the inclusion of electromagnetic and drift-kinetic electron physics in gyrokinetic simulation, raises a concern related to the inclusion of kinetic electrons in a system with magnetic shear, and discusses alternatives in the face of an important limitation on the general applicability of the algorithm described therein.