Nonlinear dynamics of tearing modes in the reversed field pinch

Abstract

The results of investigations of nonlinear tearing-mode dynamics in reversed field pinch plasmas are described. The linear instabilities have poloidal mode number m=1 and toroidal mode numbers 10≲n≲20, and the resonant surfaces are therefore in the plasma core. The nonlinear dynamics result in dual cascade processes. The first process is a rapid m=1 spectral broadening toward high n, with a simultaneous spreading of magnetic turbulence radially outward toward the field-reversal surface. Global m=0 perturbations, which are driven to large amplitudes by the m=1 instabilities, in turn trigger the m=1 spectral broadening by back coupling to the higher n. The second process is a cascade toward large m and is mediated by m=2 modes. The m=2 perturbations have the structure of localized, driven current sheets and nonlinearly stabilize the m=1 modes by transferring m=1 energy to small-scale dissipation. The calculated spectrum has many of the qualitative features observed in experiments.