title: Model for the transition to the radiatively improved mode in a tokamak
abstract: A model for the transition to the radiatively improved (RI) mode triggered in tokamaks by seeding of impurities is proposed. This model takes into account that with increasing plasma effective charge the growth rate of the toroidal ion temperature gradient (ITG) instability, considered nowadays as the dominant source of anomalous energy losses in low-confinement (L) mode, decreases. As a result the plasma density profile peaks due to an inward convection generated by trapped electron turbulence. This completely quenches ITG induced transport and a bifurcation to the RI mode occurs. Conditions necessary for the L-RI transition are investigated.
authors.affiliation: Institut fur Plasmaphysik, Forschungszentrum Julich GmbH, EURATOM Association, D-52425 Julich, Germany.
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Tokar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ongena
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Unterberg
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Weynants