Long-range correlations during plasma transitions in the TJ-II stellarator

The mechanism underlying the development of edge transport barriers is still one of the fundamental issues con-fronting the magnetic fusion community. The results presented show the importance of long-range correlation as approaching plasma bifurcations in different plasma scenarios, including biasing induced and spontaneous edge transport bifurcations in ECRH and NBI plasmas. These findings are consistent with the theory of zonal flows, pointing out the importance of both mean and fluctuating electric fields during the development of edge plasma transitions. (copyright 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)