Profile consistency: Difference between revisions

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:<math>\chi = \chi_0 + \chi_1 \xi \left ( \frac{R}{L_T}-\frac{R}{L_{T,crit}}\right )^\alpha H_c</math>
:<math>\chi = \chi_0 + \chi_1 \xi \left ( \frac{R}{L_T}-\frac{R}{L_{T,crit}}\right )^\alpha H_c</math>


Here, ''H<sub>c</sub>'' is a step function (to activate supercritical transport), ''L<sub>T</sub>'' is the temperature gradient scale length, and &chi; is the heat transport coefficient (&chi;<sub>0</sub> and &chi;<sub>1</sub> being the sub- and super-critical transport coefficients, and &xi; the 'stiffness factor').
Here, ''H<sub>c</sub>'' is a step function (to activate supercritical transport), ''L<sub>T</sub> = T/&nabla; T'' is the temperature gradient scale length, and &chi; is the heat transport coefficient (&chi;<sub>0</sub> and &chi;<sub>1</sub> being the sub- and super-critical transport coefficients, and &xi; the 'stiffness factor').
This sharply non-linear dependence of the transport coefficient on the relevant profile parameter (''L<sub>T</sub>'') makes the profiles 'stiff' in the sense that the gradients (''L<sub>T</sub>'') will change little to a large change in drive (the heat source) in the appropriate parameter range.
This sharply non-linear dependence of the transport coefficient on the relevant profile parameter (''L<sub>T</sub>'') makes the profiles 'stiff' in the sense that the gradients (''L<sub>T</sub>'') will change little in response to a large change in drive (the heat source) in the appropriate parameter range.


However, it is possible to devise methods for the objective quantification of profile stiffness that do not depend so much on the introduction of any ad-hoc model, simply by making this idea of stiffness explicit (i.e., by measuring the response of the gradient to a change in drive or heat source).
However, it is possible to devise methods for the objective quantification of profile stiffness that do not depend so much on the introduction of any ad-hoc model, simply by making this idea of stiffness explicit (i.e., by measuring the response of the gradient to a change in drive or heat source).