DFG project on the interaction of turbulent particle and momentum transport gets a boost

December 4, 2023

Two doctoral theses at IGVP in the DFG-funded project contribute to understanding the formation of transport phenomena in magnetized plasmas

The DFG-funded project investigates the interplay of turbulent particle and momentum transport in magnetized plasmas in dependence of the magnetic field geometry. For this purpose, the stellarator experiment TJ-K operated at the IGVP offers unique possibilities to record broadband turbulent fluctuations in plasma density and potential and to relate them to each other. As a result of decoupling of both plasma perturbations, particle transport is formed transverse to the magnetic field, which degrades magnetic plasma confinement properties. In contrast, coupling promotes momentum transport, which - as a measure of vortex tilt - determines the Reynolds-stress drive of zonal flows. Zonal shear flows are thought to regulate turbulent particle transport in hot fusion plasmas. In previous works at TJ-K, both transport phenomena were shown to coincide despite opposing conditions. Since 2022, Ralph Sarkis has been investigating the temporal interplay of the phenomena with the coupling of plasma perturbations in his doctoral thesis. PhD researcher Tancredi Lo Presti Piccolo is now joining the team in the project with quantitative studies on the shear-rate dependence of turbulent transport.

Project details

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