On the drift wave eigenmode crossing zero frequency in Tokamak

TL;DR

This paper investigates a drift wave mode in tokamaks that crosses zero frequency as ion temperature gradient decreases, revealing a new wave called the warm ion electron drift mode and its implications for edge turbulence.

Contribution

It introduces the WIED mode, a new drift wave mode that occurs due to ion temperature effects and explores its physics using 2D ballooning theory.

Findings

Mode frequency decreases to zero at a critical ta_i

Mode propagates in electron direction at low ta_i

Mechanism involves reactive instability from curvature coupling

Abstract

The conventional ion temperature gradient or \eta_i mode is known to propagate in the ion diamagnetic direction. Investigation of a generic drift fluid model with warm ions and adiabatic electrons, reveals that as \eta_i decreases, the propagation characteristics of the unstable mode may change drastically, the mode frequency first decreases in magnitude, and reaches zero for a critical \eta_i. But as \eta_i goes down further, the mode begins to propagate in the electron diamagnetic direction. The lower toroidal mode number perturbations are more prone to reversal in propagation direction. Even for \eta_i=0, the mode remains unstable, drawing free energy form the density gradients. Since finite ion temperature appears to be essential for propagation in the electron direction, it is appropriate to introduce new terminology and call this wave the warm ion electron drift (WIED) mode. The model drift wave system is explored within the framework of the two dimensional (2D) weakly asymmetric ballooning theory (WABT) for local eigenmode satisfying natural boundary conditions. The physics behind the excitation of the eigenmode crossing zero frequency is identified to be the reactive instability induced by the curvature coupling between the positive energy wave and the negative energy wave, a damped mode in electron direction coupled to a growing mode in the ion direction in non-dissipative slab limit. Apart from its intrinsic scientific value, this mechanism may shed some light onto the nature of tokamak edge turbulence observed in frequencies moderately lower than the electron diamagnetic frequency; understanding this phenomenon could be helpful in conceptual design around the edge region of future tokamak.