X-Point-Position-Dependent Intrinsic Toroidal Rotation in the Edge of the TCV Tokamak.

Edge intrinsic rotation was investigated in Ohmic L-mode discharges on the Tokamak à Configuration Variable, scanning the major radial position of the X point, R(X). Edge rotation decreased linearly with increasing R(X), vanishing or becoming countercurrent for an outboard X point, in agreement with theoretical expectations. The core rotation profile shifted fairly rigidly with the edge rotation, changing the central rotation speed by more than a factor of two. Core rotation reversals had little effect on the edge rotation velocity. Edge rotation was modestly more countercurrent in unfavorable than favorable ∇B shots.

Transport-driven toroidal rotation in the tokamak edge.

The interaction of passing-ion drift orbits with spatially inhomogeneous but purely diffusive radial transport is demonstrated to cause spontaneous toroidal spin-up in a simple model of the tokamak edge. Physically, major-radial orbit shifts cause orbit-averaged diffusivities to depend on v(∥), including its sign, leading to residual stress. The resulting pedestal-top intrinsic rotation scales with T(i)/B(θ), resembling typical experimental scalings. Additionally, an inboard (outboard) X point enhances co- (counter)current rotation.