Electromagnetic Effects On Transport Barrier Relaxations

Results of transport barrier relaxations computed with a new 3D electromagnetic simulation code (EMEDGE3D) of resistive ballooning turbulence are presented. In these simulations, a barrier forms due to an imposed E x B shear flow. We report the first self-consistent electromagnetic simulations based on first principles which exhibit barrier relaxation cycles. This barrier relaxes intermittently on confinement time scales, even if fluctuations of the E x B flow are suppressed. (c) 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.