Simulation of ion temperature gradient mode in Chinese First Quasi-axisymmetric Stellarator

Abstract

The Chinese First Quasi-axisymmetric Stellarator (CFQS) is now the only quasi-axisymmetric stellarator under construction in the world. In this work, ion temperature gradient (ITG) mode in CFQS is studied by using gyrokinetic Vlasov code GKV. The basic characteristics of the eletrtostatic ITG are separately given under the adiabatic condition and the non-adiabatic condition. There is a critical temperature gradient for ITG. The growth rate of ITG is proportional to the temperature gradient. Furthermore, the growth rate depends on not only the absolute value of density gradient, but also the plus or minus sign of the density gradient. The negative density gradient can strongly suppress the ITG. The kinetic electron can destabilize the ITG and the electron temperature gradient can also destabilize the ITG. For electromagnetic condition, the ITG modes can be suppressed by the finite plasma beta, and then a transition from ITG to Alfvenic ion temperature gradient mode/kinetic ballooning mode (AITG/KBM) comes into being. The maximum growth rate of KBM is linearly proportional to density gradient and temperature gradient when both gradients are large.