Spontaneous tokamak rotation: observations turbulent momentum transport has to explain

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• Hutchinson, I (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
• Thursday 22 July 2010, 09:45-10:30
• Seminar Room 1, Newton Institute.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Mustapha Amrani.

Gyrokinetics in Laboratory and Astrophysical Plasmas

Ideal tokamaks have axisymmetric magnetic fields that, by symmetry, cannot impart toroidal angular momentum. Yet, even without obvious external sources of momentum, such as neutral-beams, they rotate at speeds up to a substantial fraction of the ion thermal speed. This spontaneous rotation is an unequivocal signature of momentum transport (presumably turbulent) up the velocity gradient—- that is, in the opposite direction to any supposed shear viscosity. Theoretical suggestions for the mechanisms producing spontaneous rotation exist; but even qualitative confrontation of theory with experiment is at a rudimentary stage. This presentation will summarize some key experimental observations that require explanation. Understanding the spontaneous rotation is vital for future devices like ITER , where beam-driven rotation will be small, and might be relevant also in the space and astrophysical context.

This talk is part of the Isaac Newton Institute Seminar Series series.

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