Investigation of finite beta modified drift wave in a tokamak plasma

Abstract

The saturated state of a low‐frequency, coherent, m=2, global mode has been studied in the Encore tokamak using probe techniques. The mode is found to have large fluctuations in density, electron temperature, space potential, and magnetic field. The experimental measurements were compared with the predictions of a computer code, based on a linear, two‐fluid theory of the coupling of drift and shear‐Alfvén modes. This comparison led to the identification of the mode as a finite beta modified drift wave.