Drift Wave Turbulence in a Plasma with Sheared Flow

Abstract

A single-equation model of long-wavelength drift waves has been used to study the behavior of turbulent plasma fluctuations in the presence of sheared flow. These waves, which have a real frequency, are calculated using a time-evolution algorithm that includes flow effects. Linear tests show that growth rates and flow-shear damping agree with the predictions of analytical theory, even in the presence of a large real frequency. Criteria for selecting the propel spatial and temporal resolution for nonlinear calculations are described. Convergence tests show that, within these limits, solutions have a weak dependence on variations of these resolution parameters. Tests of energy conservation indicate that calculated solutions remain accurate for large numbers of time steps.