Two-dimensional turbulence in magnetised plasmas

TL;DR

This paper provides an introductory overview of two-dimensional turbulence in magnetised plasmas, emphasizing its role in energy transport, structure formation, and implications for fusion energy confinement.

Contribution

It offers a tutorial-style summary of 2D fluid and plasma turbulence, highlighting its significance in magnetic confinement and fusion research.

Findings

Turbulent vortices lead to mesoscopic structures like zonal flows.

Transport barriers can significantly improve plasma confinement.

2D turbulence physics is crucial for understanding plasma behavior in fusion devices.

Abstract

In an inhomogeneous magnetised plasma the transport of energy and particles perpendicular to the magnetic field is in general mainly caused by quasi two-dimensional turbulent fluid mixing. The physics of turbulence and structure formation is of ubiquitous importance to every magnetically confined laboratory plasma for experimental or industrial application. Specifically, high temperature plasmas for fusion energy research are also dominated by the properties of this turbulent transport. Self-organisation of turbulent vortices to mesoscopic structures like zonal flows is related to the formation of transport barriers that can significantly enhance the confinement of a fusion plasma. This subject of great importance in research is rarely touched on in introductory plasma physics or continuum dynamics courses. Here a brief tutorial on 2D fluid and plasma turbulence is presented as an introduction to the field, appropriate for inclusion in undergraduate and graduate courses.