Size convergence of the E×B staircase pattern in flux tube simulations of ion temperature gradient-driven turbulence

Abstract

The radial size convergence of the E×B staircase pattern is addressed in local gradient-driven flux tube simulations of ion temperature gradient (ITG)-driven turbulence. It is shown that a mesoscale pattern size of ∼57–76 ρ is inherent to ITG-driven turbulence with Cyclone Base Case parameters in the local limit.