Role of low order rationalq-values in the ITB events in JT-60U reverse shear plasmas

Non-local confinement bifurcations inside and around internal transport barriers (ITBs) with a ms timescale (ITB events) have previously been found in JT-60U reverse shear (RS) and high-β p plasmas. ITB events are observed as the simultaneous rise and decay of T e in two zones. They are created by an abrupt non-local reduction (or increase) of heat flux inside 30–40% of the minor radius. Under sufficient neutral beam power P nbi (above ∼8 MW for the 1.2–1.5 MA/3.8 T pulses described below), ITB events were previously detected at various q min values. However, the role of q min equal to 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2 is not obvious for ITB formation. In this paper, we focus on new features of ITB evolution near low-order-rational values of q min . The formation of a stronger ITB and its further splitting into two radially separated ITBs is described. These ITBs are located in both positive and negative shear zones of a plasma with L-mode edge. The similarity of space–time evolution of T e and T i at sufficient power is highlighted (even when the variation is significant and complicated in space and time). Within errorbars, ITB splitting occurs as q min passes through 2.5. The similarity of space–time evolution of T e and T i suggests a similarity in the qualitative behaviour of electron and ion heat diffusivities in time and space. The temporal formation of an ITB in the zone with small positive shear, while q min passes through 3 (after periodical improvements and degradations via ITB events with 8 ms period) in H-mode, with P nbi = 8 MW, is described. At lower powers, ITB events are observed only near rational values of q min . In weak RS shots with P nbi = 4 MW, transport is reduced via ITB events during 0.08 s at q min = 3.5, and repetitive short-term phases of reduced transport are observed as q min passes through 3. The behaviour of T i looks different. The difference in T e and T i evolution, which was detected regularly under low power, probably indicates a decoupling of T e and T i transport.