Search

The time and space averaged profiles of temperature, particle density, and momentum are in the scrape off layer determined by the intermittent transport generated at the edge shear layer. The distinction between profiles and fluctuations becomes arbitrary for situations where the transport is highly intermittent and shows long range correlations. Without this distinction the full range in parameter variability has to be taken into account for simulations, posing extreme demands on the used models. Numerical investigations and experimental results show how the interplay between radially propagating structures and parallel transport sets up the observed profiles and how intermittency influences edge conditions. The filamentary blob structures also transport and generate currents in the SOL, which can be investigated by means of local magnetic diagnostics. Finally, the ratio of ion to electron temperature in the SOL is an important measure for the influence of finite larmor radius effects on the propagation properties of blobs. Numerical investigations indicate that these effects can lead to an increased self confinement and radial reach of these structures (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The properties of plasma turbulence in the outer region of the Reversed Field Pinch experiments RFX and EXTRAP-T2R are reviewed. The statistical properties of fluctuations in the range of scales relevant for transport are presented. The observation of coherent structures emerging from the background turbulence and their interpretation in terms of vortices is reported. The interplay between these structures and the mean E×B flow of the plasma is demonstrated with emphasis to the action on the preferential rotation direction. The effect on the particle transport induced by the background turbulence and by the structures is discussed. Finally the methods tested to control turbulence and to mitigate the related transport are illustrated and discussed. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)