Abstract
Zonal flows, which means azimuthally symmetric band-like shear flows, are ubiquitous phenomena in nature and the laboratory. It is now widely recognized that zonal flows are a key constituent in virtually all cases and regimes of drift wave turbulence, indeed, so much so that this classic problem is now frequently referred to as “drift wave-zonal flow turbulence.” In this review, new viewpoints and unifying concepts are presented, which facilitate understanding of zonal flow physics, via theory, computation and their confrontation with the results of laboratory experiment. Special emphasis is placed on identifying avenues for further progress.
Highlights
This article presents a critical assessment of the physics of zonal flows and their relevance to fusion plasmas
This assessment is based on a comprehensive review of zonal flow physics,1,2 recently published and on an overview talk
The study of zonal flow physics had led to a paradigm shift in our most basic concept of “drift wave turbulence and transport.”
Summary
Detailed discussion, please refer to the full-length review, Refs. 1 and 2, and references therein. This article presents a critical assessment of the physics of zonal flows and their relevance to fusion plasmas. This assessment is based on a comprehensive review of zonal flow physics, recently published and on an overview talk.. We focus on: 共a兲 presenting the current state of our understanding of zonal flow physics, i.e., describing and delineating what we understand, what we think we understand but need more research on, and what we do not understand, 共b兲 discussing the importance of zonal flow physics for magnetic fusion, and.
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