Comparison of Linear Properties and of Nonlinear Behaviour in a MHD Simulation of Pulsed Poloidal Current Drive in the Reversed Field Pinch

In this paper we discuss comparisons of linear stability analysis performed along the 3D MHD nonlinear simulation of a PPCD experiment [1-2]. The aim is to clarify if it is possible to interpret the perturbation energy decrease observed in PPCD simulations by means of the linear stability properties of the instantaneous mean field profiles. Some more general considerations concerning the use of linear studies to interpret nonlinear dynamics and experimental observations are derived.