Self-consistent model of electron drift mode turbulence

Abstract

AbstractThe 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.