Internal Transport Barrier: Difference between revisions

Updated links
(Updated links)
 
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ITBs can be actively produced by modifying the current profile using external means.
ITBs can be actively produced by modifying the current profile using external means.
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0741-3335/45/1/201 R.C. Wolf, ''Internal transport barriers in tokamak plasmas'', Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion '''45''' (2003) R1-R91]</ref>
<ref>R.C. Wolf, ''Internal transport barriers in tokamak plasmas'', [[doi:10.1088/0741-3335/45/1/201|Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion '''45''' (2003) R1-R91]]</ref>
They are used to improve plasma confinement and stability properties, and to drive additional [[Bootstrap current|bootstrap current]]. Therefore, they are included in some alternative operational scenarios for [[ITER]].
They are used to improve plasma confinement and stability properties, and to drive additional [[Bootstrap current|bootstrap current]]. Therefore, they are included in some alternative operational scenarios for [[ITER]].


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The mechanism for the formation of Internal Transport Barriers in magnetically confined plasmas is complex and not fully understood.  
The mechanism for the formation of Internal Transport Barriers in magnetically confined plasmas is complex and not fully understood.  
The general consensus is that ITBs are the consequence of turbulence suppression due to sheared (''E'' &times; ''B'') flows.
The general consensus is that ITBs are the consequence of turbulence suppression due to sheared (''E'' &times; ''B'') flows.
<ref>[http://link.aip.org/link/?PHPAEN/4/1499/1 K.H. Burrell, ''Effects of E × B velocity shear and magnetic shear on turbulence and transport in magnetic confinement devices'', Phys. Plasmas '''4''' (1997) 1499]</ref>
<ref>K.H. Burrell, ''Effects of E × B velocity shear and magnetic shear on turbulence and transport in magnetic confinement devices'', [[doi:10.1063/1.872367|Phys. Plasmas '''4''' (1997) 1499]]</ref>
Such sheared flows can be generated by the turbulence itself via the [[Reynolds stress]] mechanism.
Such sheared flows can be generated by the turbulence itself via the [[Reynolds stress]] mechanism.
This process is related to the formation of the [[H-mode]] barrier.
This process is related to the formation of the [[H-mode]] barrier.
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Factors contributing to the formation of ITBs include:
Factors contributing to the formation of ITBs include:
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0029-5515/44/4/R01 J.W. Connor et al, ''A review of internal transport barrier physics for steady-state operation of tokamaks'', Nucl. Fusion '''44''' (2004) R1-R49]</ref>
<ref>J.W. Connor et al, ''A review of internal transport barrier physics for steady-state operation of tokamaks'', [[doi:10.1088/0029-5515/44/4/R01|Nucl. Fusion '''44''' (2004) R1-R49]]</ref>
* The power deposited inside the [[Flux surface|magnetic surface]], and/or local pressure gradients
* The power deposited inside the [[Flux surface|magnetic surface]], and/or local pressure gradients
* [[Magnetic shear]] and the shape of the [[Rotational transform|rotational transform]] profile (e.g., reversed shear)
* [[Magnetic shear]] and the shape of the [[Rotational transform|rotational transform]] profile (e.g., reversed shear)
* MHD activity
* MHD activity
* Momentum torques (poloidal or toroidal)
* Momentum torques (poloidal or toroidal)
* Enhanced collisionless losses of trapped particles, generating a radial electric field <ref>[http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.5910 U. Stroth et al, ''Internal Transport Barrier Triggered by Neoclassical Transport in W7-AS'', Phys. Rev. Lett. '''86''' (2001) 5910 - 5913]</ref>
* Enhanced collisionless losses of trapped particles, generating a radial electric field <ref>U. Stroth et al, ''Internal Transport Barrier Triggered by Neoclassical Transport in W7-AS'', [[doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.5910|Phys. Rev. Lett. '''86''' (2001) 5910 - 5913]]</ref>
* Reduced collisional damping, allowing the growth of zonal flows <ref>[http://link.aip.org/link/?PHPAEN/14/020702/1 K. Itoh et al, ''Physics of internal transport barrier of toroidal helical plasmas'', Phys. Plasmas '''14''' (2007) 020702]</ref>
* Reduced collisional damping, allowing the growth of zonal flows <ref>K. Itoh et al, ''Physics of internal transport barrier of toroidal helical plasmas'', [[doi:10.1063/1.2435310|Phys. Plasmas '''14''' (2007) 020702]]</ref>


The relation between some of these factors can be understood from the steady state ion force balance for the radial electric field:
The relation between some of these factors can be understood from the steady state ion force balance for the radial electric field: