The plasma edge MHD stability is analysed for several JET discharges in the
diagnostic optimized configuration. The stability analysis of Type I ELMy
plasmas shows how after an edge localized mode (ELM) crash the plasma edge
is deep in the stable region against low- to intermediate-n peeling–ballooning
modes. As the pressure gradient steepens and the edge current builds up, the
plasma reaches the low- to intermediate-n peeling–ballooning mode stability
boundary just before the ELM crash. Increasing the plasma fuelling by gas
puffing makes the second stability access against high-n ballooning modes
narrower until it closes completely and theELMschange fromType I toType III.
Reducing the plasma heating has a similar effect. Increasing the safety factor
at the plasma edge improves the stability against low- to intermediate-n modes
allowing steeper pressure gradients to develop before an ELM crash. |