title: Evolution of filament structures during edge-localized modes in the MAST Tokamak.
abstract: Edge-localized modes (ELMs) are repetitive instabilities that occur in the outer region of tokamak plasmas. This Letter provides new information on and the implications of the evolution of the filament structures observed during ELMs in the MAST tokamak. The filaments exist for the time over which particles are being released into the scrape off layer. They start off at the plasma edge rotating at the velocity of the pedestal, and then decelerate toroidally and accelerate radially outwards. As the filaments propagate radially they remain aligned with the local magnetic field line.
authors.affiliation: EURATOM/UKAEA Fusion Association, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 3DB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scannell
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Counsell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dowling
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walsh