Magnetic fluctuation behavior during the transition between quasi-single helicity and multi helicity states in the reversed-field pinch plasma

Abstract

We measured the variation of magnetic and electrostatic fluctuations observed during the transition between the quasi-single helicity (QSH) and multi helicity (MH) states in the edge region of the Toroidal Pinch Experiment-Reversed eXperiment reversed-field pinch plasma [Yagi et al., Fusion Eng. Des. 45, 421 (1999)]. The high-frequency magnetic fluctuations largely decrease at the start of the QSH state. During the QSH state, the toroidal and radial magnetic fluctuations slightly increase again between 12 and 18 kHz but the decrease in the poloidal magnetic fluctuation is maintained. The confinement of fast electrons may be improved in the period of the QSH state although the radial magnetic fluctuation increases between 12 and 18 kHz. It is suggested that the improved confinement of fast electrons may be obtained by the decrease in the fast radial magnetic fluctuation having the frequency higher than 20 kHz in the period of the QSH state. Contrarily, the transition from QSH to MH states occurs with the increase in the slow toroidal magnetic fluctuation having the frequency lower than 10 kHz. The QSH state may bring a good confinement of fast electrons by the reduced high-frequency magnetic fluctuation compared with the MH state.