Mechanism for blob generation in the TORPEX toroidal plasma

Abstract

The mechanism for blob generation is detailed in the toroidal magnetized plasma of the TORPEX device [Fasoli et al., Phys. Plasmas 13, 055902 (2006)] using an experimental configuration, which features a plasma region dominated by a coherent wave and a region on the low field side characterized by the propagation of blobs. Predictions from linearized 2D drift-reduced Braginskii equations are compared with experimental data, revealing the interchange nature of the coherent wave. The dynamics of blob formation is investigated using time-resolved measurements of two-dimensional profiles of electron density, temperature, plasma potential and E×B velocity. Blobs form from radially elongated structures associated with the interchange wave. When a blob is generated, the following sequence of events is observed: 1) A decrease of local pressure gradient length provides an increase of the interchange mode drive; 2) in response, the interchange mode increases in amplitude and expands in the radial direction forming a radially elongated structure from the wave crest; 3) the elongated structure is convected by the E×B flow and is eventually sheared off, forming a blob on the low field side. The dependence of the blob amplitude upon the minimum pressure radial scale length before the blob ejection is also investigated.