Nonlinear simulation of energetic particle modes in high-beta tokamak plasma

Bierwage, A.; Aiba, Nobuyuki; Todo, Yasushi*; Deng, W.*; Ishikawa, Masao; Matsunaga, Go; Shinohara, Koji; Yagi, Masatoshi

The global hybrid code MEGA is used to study the dynamics of energetic particle modes (EPM) in parameter regimes close to the onset of ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) ballooning instability. This work is motivated by observations of energetic-particle-driven modes in the wall-stabilized regime (so called EWM) in JT-60U, the physics of which have not been fully understood yet. In this study, nonlinear simulations of energetic particle modes (EPM, high frequency, 40-60 kHz) are carried out under conditions, where EWM (low frequency, 1-3 kHz) are observed. Although, EPM are unlikely to interact with EWM directly, the energetic particle transport caused by EPM may affect the total pressure profile and, hence, the stability of kink-ballooning modes, which are thought to be the fundamental modes underlying EWM. The dynamics of EPM near ideal MHD ballooning stability boundary is examined for the first time.