R. Nazikian 1, K. Shinohara , R. Yoshino ,
T. Fujita , H. Shirai , G. J. Kramer , and the JT-60
Team
Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Naka-machi, Ibaraki-ken,
311-0193 Japan
1 Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton NJ 08543-0451 USA
Abstract
First measurements of the radial correlation length of density
fluctuations in JT-60U plasmas with internal transport barrier (ITB) is
reported. The measurements are obtained using a newly installed correlation
reflectometer operating in the upper X-mode. Before transport barrier
formation in the low beam power current ramp-up phase of the discharge,
reflectometer measurements indicate density fluctuation levels
and radial correlation lengths 2-3 cm (
) in the central plasma region (). A rapid increase
(
) in the density fluctuation level is observed
within 50 ms of the turn on of high power neutral beam injection during
formation phase of the internal transport barrier (ITB). Inside the ITB, the
radial correlation length of density fluctuations is short ( 0.5cm at
) corresponding to
. However,
fluctuation levels are considerably higher than measured near the magnetic
axis. Reflectometer measurements obtained at the foot of the ITB also indicate
high fluctuation levels compared to measurements in the central region of the
discharge.
IAEA 1999