The ion cyclotron parametric turbulence and anomalous convective transport of the inhomogeneous plasma in front of the fast wave antenna

TL;DR

This paper develops a theory for ion cyclotron parametric instabilities in inhomogeneous plasma driven by fast wave electric fields, explaining how turbulence causes plasma flows that transport energy to the edge and divertor regions.

Contribution

It introduces a new theoretical framework for understanding ion cyclotron parametric turbulence and its role in plasma transport in the presence of inhomogeneous electric fields.

Findings

Spatial inhomogeneity drives turbulence and plasma flows.

Flows transport a significant part of wave power to plasma edge.

The theory explains energy transfer to the scrape-off layer and divertor.

Abstract

The theory of the ion cyclotron (IC) electrostatic parametric instabilities of the inhomogeneous plasma which are driven by the inhomogeneous electric field of the fast wave (FW) in front of FW antenna is developed. It is found that the spatial inhomogeneity of the parametric IC turbulence and of the drift turbulence is at the origin of the flows which transport a large part of FW power, deposited to the pedestal plasma, to the scrape-off layer and later to the divertor mostly along field lines.