Trapped electron mode in a quasi-isodynamic stellarator

Global gyrokinetic simulations find a strongly unstable trapped electron mode excited by a density gradient in a quasi-isodynamic stellarator. The eigenmode structure localizes on the inner side of the torus with an unfavorable magnetic curvature and weak magnetic field, where there is a large fraction of trapped electrons. The instability saturates by nonlinear processes of turbulence spreading in the real space and spectral transfer from unstable to damped regions. The steady state turbulence drives a large particle flux that may have significant implications for the confinement of fusion fuel and removal of fusion ash in the optimized stellarator reactor.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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