Work

Potential vorticity conservation for plasma turbulence in an inhomogeneous magnetic field: Theory and implications

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The concept and theory of potential vorticity in drift wave turbulence are extended to the case of an inhomogeneous magnetic field. A one-field magnetic potential vorticity conserving equation is derived via the use of conservative gyrokinetics. The similarity between the corresponding systems for drift wave turbulence and shallow water theory is discussed in detail. Zonal flow physics in an inhomogeneous magnetic field is discussed. In particular, a Charney–Drazin type nonacceleration theorem is derived from the novel system, which conserves magnetic potential vorticity. Extensions of the turbulent equipartition theory to the transport of magnetic potential vorticity are proposed.

Source: Physics of Plasmas

DOI: 10.1063/5.0189855

Authors: T. S. Hahm, P. H. Diamond, S. J. Park, Y.-S. Na

Institutions: Seoul National University, University of California San Diego

Language: English

Topic: Magnetic confinement fusion research

Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, National Research Foundation, National Research Foundation of Korea, Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea