H-mode transitions and limit cycle oscillations from mean field transport equations

The mean field toroidal and parallel momentum transport equations will be shown to admit both one-step transitions to suppressed transport (L/H) and limit cycle oscillations (LCO). Both types of transitions are driven by the suppression of turbulence by the mean field ExB velocity shear. Using experimental data to evaluate the coefficients of a reduced transport model, the observed frequency of the LCO can be matched. The increase in the H-mode power threshold above and below a minimum density agrees with the trends in the model. Both leading and lagging phase relations between the turbulent density fluctuation amplitude and the ExB velocity shear can occur depending on the evolution of the linear growth rate of the turbulence. The transport solutions match the initial phase of the L/H transition where the poloidal and ExB velocities are observed to change, and the density fluctuations drop, faster than the diamagnetic velocity.