Kelvin-Hemholtz/Drift Wave Coupling to Kinetic Shear Alfven Waves

POSTER

Abstract

Two-component fluid models are proposed to study the coupling of $\mathbf E\times\mathbf B$ shear flow driven turbulence with the Alfv\'en waves in the Large Plasma Device (LaPD). Shear Alfv\'en waves can be easily excited and measured in the LaPD as reported by Vincena {\it et.~al.} \newblock{\em Phys. Plasmas}, \textbf{8}(9), 3884, 2000. Here we present new $\delta\mathbf B$ measurement that show low frequency Alfv\'enic-like magnetic fluctuation driven by a strong localized shear flow layer created by a localized radial electric field. The electrostatic Kelvin-Helmholtz features have been extensively analyzed with computer simulations and the vorticity probe in Perez {\it et.~al.} \newblock {\em Phys. Plasmas}, \textbf{13}(055701), 2006, and Horton {\it et.~al.} \newblock {\em Phys. Plasmas}, \textbf{12}(022303), 2005. The simulations are extended to include the kinetic Alfv\'en wave (KAW) and intertial Aflv\'en wave physics. Comparisons between the electromagnetic $\mathbf E_\perp$ and the simulations are presented in some detail.

Authors

  • Jean C. Perez

    • University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • W. Horton

    • Institute for Fusion Studies, The University of Texas at Austin
    • IFS, Univ. of Texas
    • The University of Texas at Austin, Institute for Fusion Studies
    • University of Texas at Austin, IFS

  • S. Boldyrev

    • University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • J.H. Kim

    • IFS, Univ. of Texas
    • University of Texas at Austin, IFS

  • R.D. Bengtson

    • University of Texas at Austin, FRC

  • Troy Carter

    • University of California, Los Angeles