arXiv subjects

X. J. Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to X. J. Zhang.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Characterization of Pedestal Burst Instabilities during I-mode to H-mode Transition in the EAST Tokamak

Quasi-periodic Pedestal Burst Instabilities (PBIs), featuring alternative turbulence suppression and bursts, have been clearly identified by various edge diagnostics during I-mode to H-mode transition in the EAST Tokamak. The radial distribution of the phase perturbation caused by PBI shows that PBI is localized in the pedestal. Prior to each PBI, a significant increase of density gradient close to the pedestal top can be clearly distinguished, then the turbulence burst is generated, accompanied by the relaxation of the density profile, and then induces an outward particle flux. The relative density perturbation caused by PBIs is about $6 \sim 8\%$. Statistic analyses show that the pedestal normalized density gradient triggering the first PBI has a threshold value, mostly in the range of $22 \sim 24$, suggesting that a PBI triggering instability could be driven by the density gradient. And the pedestal normalized density gradient triggering the last PBI is about $30 \sim 40$ and seems to increase with the loss power and the chord-averaged density. In addition, the frequency of PBI is likely to be inversely proportional to the chord-averaged density and the loss power. These results suggest that PBIs and the density gradient prompt increase prior to PBIs can be considered as the precursor for controlling I-H transition.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2020

Helicon plasma in a magnetic shuttle

The definition of magnetic shuttle is introduced to describe the magnetic space enclosed by two tandem magnetic mirrors with the same field direction and high mirror ratio. Helicon plasma immersed in such a magnetic shuttle which can provide the confinement of charged particles is modeled using an electromagnetic solver. The perpendicular structure of wave field along this shuttle is given in terms of stream vector plots, showing significant change from midplane to ending throats, and the vector field rotates and forms a circular layer that separating plasma column radially into core and edge regions near the throats. The influences of driving frequency, plasma density and field strength on the wave field and power absorption are computed in detail. It is found that the wave magnitude and power absorption decrease for increased driving frequency and reduced field strength, and maximize around a certain level of plasma density. The axial standing-wave feature always exists, due to the interference between forward and reflected waves from ending magnetic mirrors, while the radial wave field structure largely stays the same. Distributions of wave energy density and power absorption density all show shrinking feature from midplane to ending throats, which is consistent with the nature of helicon mode that propagating along field lines. Theoretical analysis based on a simple magnetic shuttle and the governing equation of helicon waves shows consistency with computed results and previous studies.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2019

Systematic Regularity of Solar Coronal Rotation During the Time Interval 1939-2019

Temporal variation of the solar coronal rotation appears to be very complex and its relevances to the eleven-year solar activity cycle are still unclear. Using the modified coronal index for the time interval from 1939 January 1 to 2019 May 31, the systematic regularities of the solar coronal rotation are investigated. Our main findings are as follows: (1) from a global point of view, the synodic coronal rotation period with a value of 27.5 days is the only significant period at the periodic scales shorter than 64 days; (2) the coronal rotation period exhibit an obviously decreasing trend during the considered time interval, implying the solar corona accelerates its global rotation rate in the long run; (3) there exist significant periods of 3.25, 6.13, 9.53, and 11.13 years in the period length of the coronal rotation, providing an evidence that the coronal rotation should be connected with the quasi-biennial oscillation, the eleven-year solar cycle, and the 22-year Hale cycle (or the magnetic activity reversal); and (4) the phase relationship between the coronal rotation period and the solar magnetic activity is not only time-dependent but also frequency-dependent. For a small range around the 11- year cycle band, there is a systematic trend in the phase, and the small mismatch in this band brings out the phase to drift. The possible mechanism for the above analysis results is discussed.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2019

Phase and amplitude asymmetry in the quasi-biennial oscillation of solar Halpha flare activity

Quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) of solar magnetic activities is intrinsic to dynamo mechanism, but still far from fully understood. In this work, the phase and amplitude asymmetry of solar QBO of Halpha flare activity in the northern and southern hemispheres is studied by the ensemble empirical mode decomposition, the cross-correlation analysis, and the wavelet transform technique. The following results are found: (1) solar QBO of Halpha flare index in the two hemispheres has a complicated phase relationship, but does not show any systematic regularity; (2) the solar cycle mode of solar Halpha flare index in the northern hemisphere generally leads that in the southern one by 9 months for the time interval from 1966 to 2014. The possible origin of these results is discussed.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2010

Suppression MHD instabilities by IBW heating in HT-7 Tokamak

In HT-7 tokamak, the m= 2/1 tearing mode can be effectively suppressed by the ion bernstein wave (IBW) when the location of power deposition is near the q=2 rational surface. Off-axis electron heating and greatly increase of electron density was observed, in the meantime, the particle confinement appears to be improved with the increased of the central line averaged electron density and the drop of Da emission. Induced large ne gradients and pressures were spatially correlated with the IBW deposition profile by theoretical calculation >. It is suggested that off-axis IBW heating modifies the electron pressure profile, and so the current density profile could be redistributed resulting in the suppression of the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) instability. It provides an integrated way for making combined effects on both the stabilization of tearing modes and controlling of pressure profile.

nucl-ex↗