Rotation Reversals in Alcator C-Mod L-mode Plasmas

ORAL

Abstract

Abrupt rotation reversals have been observed in Alcator C-Mod L-mode plasmas. The magnitude of the reversals is typically 10s of km/s, and can be triggered by slight changes in the electron density or plasma current. The critical density for the reversal is itself a strong function of plasma current. There are no other changes in macroscopic parameters such as the electron temperature or energy confinement time. Subtle differences in the turbulence characteristics are sometimes observed. The reversals occur inside of the q=2 surface.

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Authors

  • J.E. Rice

    MIT PSFC, MIT-PSFC, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT

  • Basil Duval

    CRPP/EPFL, EPFL CRPP, EPFL-CRPP, Association Euratom-Conf\'ed\'eration Suisse, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland

  • M.L. Reinke

    PSFC-MIT, MIT PSFC, MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, MIT-PSFC

  • Yuri Podpaly

    MIT PSFC