Edge transport bifurcation in plasma resistive interchange turbulence

Abstract

Transport bifurcation and mean E×B shear flow generation in resistive interchange turbulence are explored with self-consistent fluid simulations in a flux-driven system with both closed and open field line regions. The nonlinear evolution of resistive interchange modes shows the presence of two confinement regimes characterized by low and high mean E×B shear flows. By increasing the heat flux above a threshold, large-amplitude fluctuations are induced in the plasma edge region and a transition to the state of reduced turbulent transport occurs as the Reynolds power exceeds the fluctuation energy input rate for a sufficient time period. The flux-gradient relationship shows a sharp bifurcation in the plasma edge transport.