Characterization of edge profiles and fluctuations in discharges with type-II and nitrogen-mitigated edge localized modes in ASDEX Upgrade

Abstract

Edge localized modes (ELMs) with high frequency and low power loss (type-II ELMs) occur in high triangularity, near double null configurations in ASDEX Upgrade with full tungsten plasma facing components. The transition from type-I to type-II ELMs is shown to occur above a collisionality threshold. For the first time the characteristic MHD fluctuations around 40 kHz have been localized. The fluctuations are observed in a wide region extending from the pedestal inward to normalized poloidal radius ρpol = 0.7. Their amplitudes on the low-field side of the plasma exhibit maxima above and belowthe mid-plane. The fluctuations move in the electron drift direction and lead to a reduced edge electron temperature gradient. The reduction in the edge pressure gradient is connected with these MHD fluctuations, which affect the electron temperature but not the electron density profiles. A comparison with nitrogen-mitigated type-I ELMs in the same plasma shape shows that core profiles are also affected. The electron temperature profile is self-similar for type-I and nitrogen-mitigated type-I ELMs but is not self-similar in the case of type-II ELMs. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)