Abstract
Alfvén instabilities excited by energetic ions are used as a means to reduce the central magnetic shear in a tokamak via redistribution of energetic ions. When the central magnetic shear is low enough, ballooning modes become stable for any plasma pressure gradient and an internal transport barrier (ITB) with a steep pressure gradient can exist. This mechanism can sustain a steady-state ITB as demonstrated by experimental data from the DIII-D tokamak. It can also produce a shear in toroidal and poloidal plasma rotation. Possible application of this technique to use the energetic α particles for improvement of burning plasma performance is discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 30-39 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Nuclear Fusion |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 2005 |
| Externally published | Yes |