English

Magnetic Phase transitions in Plasmas and Transport Barriers

Plasma Physics 2013-02-19 v4

Abstract

A model of magnetic phase transitions in plasmas is presented: plasma blobs with pressure excess or defect are dia- or para-magnets and move radially under the influence of the background plasma magnetisation. It is found that magnetic phase separation could be the underlying mechanism of L to H transitions and drive transport barrier formation. Magnetic phase separation and associated pedestal build up, as described here, can be explained by the well known interchange mechanism, now reinterpreted as a magnetisation interchange which remains relevant even when stable or saturated. A testable necessary criterion for the L to H transition is presented.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1112.2977,
  title  = {Magnetic Phase transitions in Plasmas and Transport Barriers},
  author = {Emilia R. Solano and Richard D. Hazeltine},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1112.2977},
  year   = {2013}
}

Comments

3 figures, 9 pages, equations created with MathType To be published in Nuclear Fusion, accepted August 2012