Hole-clump pair creation in the evolution of energetic-particle-driven geodesic acoustic modes

• Published in: Physical review letters 2013-04, Vol.110 (15), p.155006-155006, Article 155006
• Main Authors: Wang, Hao, Todo, Yasushi, Kim, Charlson C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0031-9007; 1079-7114
• DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.110.155006

Nonlinear frequency chirping of the energetic-particle-driven geodesic acoustic mode (EGAM) is investigated using a hybrid simulation code for energetic particles interacting with a magnetohydrodynamic fluid. It is demonstrated in the simulation result that both frequency chirping up and chirping down take place in the nonlinear evolution of the EGAM. It is found that two hole-clump pairs are formed in the energetic particle distribution function in two-dimensional velocity space of pitch angle variable and energy. One pair is formed in the phase space region that destabilizes the instability, while the other is formed in the stabilizing region. The transit frequency of the hole (clump) in the destabilizing region chirps up (down), while in the stabilizing region the hole (clump) chirps down (up). The transit frequencies of particles in the holes and clumps are in good agreement with the chirping EGAM frequency indicating that the particles are kept resonant with the EGAM during the nonlinear frequency chirping. Continuous energy transfer takes place from the destabilizing phase space region to the stabilizing region during the spontaneous frequency chirping of the wave.