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 × 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 × B flow are suppressed. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)