Multi-scale Simulations of DIII-D near-edge L-mode plasmas

In order to self-consistently describe the L-H transition we have to be able to quantitatively characterize near-edge L-mode plasmas ($\rho$=0.8). Instructed by a linear analysis, we perform nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations of a DIII-D L-mode discharge. Comparison between single-scale and multi-scale simulations reveals that stability of ion temperature gradient (ITG) turbulence affects cross-scale coupling. When ion transport is stabilized by zonal flows, electron temperature gradient (ETG) streamer amplitude is reduced but persists at sub-ion-scales, causing radial electron heat transport to dominate. When ITG modes are unstable, we find that ion heat transport dominates, in agreement with experimental data. Moreover, nonlinear de-stabilization of ion transport occurs at higher critical gradients for multi-scale than for single-scale simulations, showing an enhanced Dimits shift. All simulations are performed with the GENE code (genecode.org).