Multi-scale Interaction Mechanism for Edge-Localized-Mode Suppression in the Tokamak Edge
A central challenge in fusion energy is reconciling the high-confinement mode required for reactor performance with the intense intermittent relaxation events it produces, known as edge-localized modes. These instabilities arise in the steep pressure pedestal at the plasma edge when magnetohydrodynamic thresholds are crossed, inflicting damaging heat loads on reactor components. Here, we show that multiscale interactions between microscopic turbulence and macroscopic magnetohydrodynamic modes provide encouraging prospects for self-organized edge-localized modes regulation. Using direct quantitative measurements of multiscale modes, eddy dynamics, and turbulent flux, we show that small-scale electron drift wave turbulence actively scatters the large-scale peeling-ballooning modes. This scattering decorrelates the pressure and velocity fields of the instability, so arresting its growth. Our modeling and theoretical analysis confirm this suppression mechanism is effective even when conventional linear stability thresholds are exceeded. This work establishes a nonlinear principle for edge-localized modes stability, revealing how ambient micro-turbulence can be leveraged to maintain a macro-stable, high-performance pedestal for future fusion reactors.
Authors
- V. S. Chan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3273-2663)
- R. Hong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4750-8015)
- L. Zeng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5856-3912)
- M. E. Austin
- Guanying Yu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0002-5342)
- C. M. Muscatello (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3424-0419)
- Zeyu Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3932-9244)
- P.O. Khabanov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6004-2005)
- P. H. Diamond (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3273-2604)
- G. R. McKee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2754-9816)
- X. Q. Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1838-9790)
- Z. Yan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5033-088X)
- T. L. Rhodes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8311-4892)
- Xi Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8718-6877)
Institutions
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (US)
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- University of California San Diego (US)
- Institute of Plasma Physics (CN)
- General Atomics (United States) (US)
- University of California, Davis (US)
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-11-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-66313-7
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Magnetic confinement fusion research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.87
Funders
- U.S. Department of Energy
- National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center
- Office of Science
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- Division of Mathematical Sciences
- Fusion Energy Sciences
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory