Finite β destabilization of long-wavelength drift mode in tokamaks

Abstract

Analysis based on integral equation formalism in the ballooning space indicates that in toroidal geometry, extremely long-wavelength modes with the ion finite Larmor radius parameter (k[Formula: see text]ρ)2 [Formula: see text] O(10-2) and mode frequency of the order of the ion transit frequency can be strongly destabilized by a finite β (the ratio of plasma to magnetic pressure). In high β regimes, a resultant mixing length thermal diffusivity is linearly proportional to β. PACS Nos.: 52.65Tt, 52.55Fa, 52.35Py