Turbulent transport and plasma flow in the Reversed Field Pinch

The results of an extensive investigation of electrostatic and magnetic turbulence in the edge region of two Reversed Field Pinch (RFP) experiments EXTRAP-T2R and RFX are reported . In both experiments particle transport is mostly driven by electrostatic turbulence and a highly sheared ExB flow takes place. Recent results have shown that almost 50% of the particle losses is due to coherent structures. These structures have features reminiscent of monopolar or dipolar vortices and their relative population and preferred vorticity is determined by the local ExB shear. It has been demonstrated that the plasma diffusivity D can be separated in two comparable terms: one due to coherent structures and another one due to background turbulence. The ExB shear results to affect both terms, modifying the populations of vortices and the phase of background density and velocity fluctuations . This effect has been proved by several experiments of transport control based on modification of the ExB shear by insertion of active electrodes or by applying transient modifications of the magnetic field. In order to investigate the process responsible for the observed ExB flow profile, the momentum balance has been recently addressed and it has been found that also transport of momentum is anomalous as experimental kinematic viscosity results consistent with anomalous diffusion. Moreover the balance reveals that plasma flow profile is regulated by turbulence and in particular by the electrostatic component of the Reynolds Stress (RS). These results prove the existence of a dynamic interplay between turbulence properties, anomalous transport and mean profiles. All results are discussed highlighting the similarities with other magnetic configurations.