Abstract

The nonlinear dynamics of magnetic electron drift mode turbulence are outlined and the generation of large-scale magnetic Structures in a non-uniform magnetized plasma by turbulent Reynolds stress is demonstrated. The loop-back of large-scale flows on the microturbulence is elucidated and the modulation of the electron drift mode turbulence spectrum in a, medium with slowly varying parameters is presented. The wave kinetic equation in the presence of large-scale flows is derived and it can be seen that the small-scale turbulence and the large-scale structures form a, self-regulating system. Finally. it is shown by the use of quasilinear theory that the shearing of microturbulence by the flows can be described by a diffusion equation in k-space and the corresponding diffusion coefficients are calculated.

Published in

Journal of Plasma Physics
2008, volume: 74, pages: 21-33
Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

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