Long radial coherence of electron temperature fluctuations in non-local transport in HL-2A plasmas

Abstract

The dynamics of long-wavelength ($k_\theta<1.4 \mathrm{\ cm^{-1}}$), broadband (20-200 kHz) electron temperature fluctuations ($\tilde T_e/T_e$) of plasmas in gas-puff experiments were observed for the first time in HL-2A tokamak. In a relative low density ($n_e(0) \simeq 0.91 \sim 1.20 \times10^{19}/m^3$) scenario, after gas-puffing the core temperature increases and the edge temperature drops. On the contrary, temperature fluctuation drops at the core and increases at the edge. Analyses show the non-local emergence is accompanied with a long radial coherent length of turbulent fluctuations. While in a higher density ($n_e(0) \simeq 1.83 \sim 2.02 \times10^{19}/m^3$) scenario, the phenomena were not observed. Furthermore, compelling evidence indicates that $\textbf{E} \times \textbf{B}$ shear serves as a substantial contributor to this extensive radial interaction. This finding offers a direct explanatory link to the intriguing core-heating phenomenon witnessed within the realm of non-local transport.