The impact of fast ions on a trapped electron mode (TEM) is extensively analysed by linear and nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations for a JT-60U plasma at high and low magnetic shear using the Gene code in local approximation. For the first time, it is shown that TEM-induced turbulent transport may remain unaffected by the steep fast ion pressure profile generated by the neutral beam injection. Unlike recent observations of ion temperature gradient (ITG)-induced turbulent transport reductions due to fast ions, TEM-dominated systems could act differently in the presence of a significant fast ion population. The possible role of zonal flows as a saturation mechanism is analyzed, showing that their weak impact in the reported JT-60U scenario might lead to different behaviour of fast ions with respect to the ITG-dominated discharges. It is also shown that Alfvénic shear modes are destabilized at low wave numbers (). They are identified as drift Alfvén waves destabilized by ITG, which is a form of Alfvénic ITG instabilities. Deep numerical analysis provides the physical parameter range in which ITG-driven BAEs are stabilized. These results open the way to new possibilities of tailoring future experimental scenarios in order to benefit from transport reduction by fast ions.
Investigation of the fast ion driven kinetic ballooning mode in FIRE mode discharge through gyrokinetic simulations