Strong ExB shear flows in the pedestal region in H-mode plasma

Xia, H.; Shats, M. G.; Punzmann, H.

Strong ExB shear flows in the pedestal region in H-mode plasma

Authors

Xia, H.

Shats, M. G.

Punzmann, H.

Description

We report the first experimental observation of stationary zonal flows in the pedestal region of the H-mode plasma in the H-1 toroidal heliac. Strong peaks in E_r shear mark the top and foot of the density pedestal. Strong m=n=0 low-frequency (f < 0.6 kHz) zonal flows are observed in regions of increased E_r, suggesting substantial contribution of zonal flows to the spatial modulation of E_r radial profiles. Radial localization of zonal flows is correlated with a region of zero magnetic shear and low-order (7/5) rational surfaces.
4 pages, 5 figures