Basic features of the multiscale interaction between tearing modes and slab ion-temperature-gradient modes*

Abstract

Nonlinear interaction between tearing modes (TM) and slab ion-temperature-gradient (ITG) modes is numerically investigated by using a Landau fluid model. It is observed that the energy spectra with respect to wavenumbers become broader during the transition phase from the ITG-dominated stage to TM-dominated stage. Accompanied with the fast growth of the magnetic island, the frequency of TM/ITG with long/short wavelength fluctuations in the electron/ion diamagnetic direction decreases/increases respectively. The decrease of TM frequency is identified to result from the effect of the profile flattening in the vicinity of the magnetic island, while the increase of the frequencies of ITG fluctuations is due to the eigenmode transition of ITG induced by the large scale zonal flow and zonal current related to TM. Roles of zonal current induced by the ITG fluctuations in the instability of TM are also analyzed. Finally, the electromagnetic transport features in the vicinity of the magnetic island are discussed.