I3-S1 · The case of the trapped singularities

Ball, Rowena1)

1) Department of Theoretical Physics, Australian National University Canberra 0200 Australia

Abstract

In this work two different views of the physics behind plasma confinement transitions are smoothly reconciled in a unified model for the coupled dynamics of potential energy, turbulent kinetic energy, and shear flow kinetic energy subsystems. The work is presented as a case study in bifurcation and stability analysis. A systematic methodology for characterizing the equilibria of dynamical systems involves finding and classifying high-order singularities then perturbing around them to explore and map the bifurcation landscape. In a broad sense, this paper is about applying singularity theory as a diagnostic tool while an impasto picture of confinement transition dynamics is compounded.

Synopsis (pdf) To be published in Physics of Plasmas