Turbulence stabilization in tokamak plasmas with high population of fast ions

Abstract

This letter provides a new physical insight into the fast ion effects on turbulence in plasmas having a high fast ion fraction and peaked fast ion density profile. We elucidate turbulence stabilization mechanisms by fast ions that result in internal transport barrier formation in the fast ion regulated enhancement mode plasma. Both linear and nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations show that the dominant turbulence suppression mechanisms are the dilution effects. In particular, we find that turbulence can be sufficiently suppressed solely by an inverted main ion density gradient due to fast ions, for the first time. New physical findings reported here improve our understanding of fast ion effects on turbulence, essential for fusion energy production where . Moreover, they will open up a new methodology to control plasma turbulence applicable to a wide range of plasma confinement regimes.

Keywords

• fast ion
• turbulence
• internal transport barrier
• fast ion regulated enhancement (FIRE) mode
• gyrokinetic
• dilution