Formation of quadrupolar vortices in ion-temperature-gradient modes

Abstract

Nonlinear equations which govern the dynamics of low-frequency (ω≪ωci), ion-temperature gradient modes in the presence of equilibrium density, temperature, magnetic field, and electrostatic potential gradients are derived. For some specific profiles of the equilibrium flow velocity, number density, temperature, and magnetic field, new type of solutions in the form of quadrupole vortices are found for a nondissipative plasma. The results can have relevance to the understanding of the salient features of anomalous ion thermal transport and coherent vortex structure formation in magnetically confined plasmas, such as in tokamaks.