Study on the turbulence transition in the pedestal of high-density H-mode plasmas in EAST

In the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), a transition from electromagnetic to electrostatic turbulence is observed in the pedestal region as plasma density ramps up. This transition is manifested by the suppression of magnetic fluctuations and the presence of broadband electrostatic turbulence. The frequency domain of the electrostatic turbulence is typically beyond 300 kHz. It leads to a rapid build-up of density gradient and a sharp degradation of energy confinement. By reducing the gas puffing rate, a prolonged intermediate transition phase is observed, and the confinement improved with increasing density in this phase. The emergence of broad electrostatic turbulence is associated with the enhanced turbulence control parameter αt, together with a weaken edge radial electric field. Furthermore, the impact of the turbulence transition to scrape-off layer (SOL) transport is evaluated. Measurements suggested that radial particle flux and intermittent structures are strengthened after the transition. Moreover, the profiles in the far SOL are broaden with increase of αt. The properties of the magnetic fluctuations are consistent with the nature of the magnetic coherent mode previously observed in EAST, while the broad electrostatic turbulence is proposed to be an ion temperature gradient mode by the Gyrokinetic Electromagnetic Numerical Experiment simulation. It is clarified that the energy confinement degradation in high-density regimes is primarily driven by the broadband turbulence rather than divertor detachment. These findings advance our understanding of high-density H-mode plasmas and provides additional insights into the interplay between edge turbulence and global confinement properties.