Abstract
A new, frequency modulation mechanism for zonal flow pattern formation is presented. The model predicts the probability distribution function of the flow strength as well as the evolution of the characteristic spatial scale. Magnetic toroidicity-induced global phase dynamics is shown to determine the spatial structure of the flow. A key result is the observation that global phase patterning can lead to zonal flow formation in the absence of turbulence inhomogeneity.
- Received 16 June 2016
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.125002
© 2016 American Physical Society