Characteristics of high frequency ELM precursors and edge stability in the PBX-M tokamak

H-mode plasmas with high poloidal beta values in the PBX-M tokamak often exhibit periods of edge localized mode (ELM) activity, with each ELM preceded by a short duration (≤ 350 μs) burst of high frequency (200-250 kHz) magnetic activity. The burst grows on a time-scale of 10 μs and disappears just before the rapid increase in the Dα emission that is characteristic of the ELM. The burst of activity is observed at all poloidal locations, with the largest amplitudes at coils on the inner major radius side, indicating that the mode is not outward ballooning in character. Stability calculations indicate that this high frequency ELM precursor is probably the pressure driven ideal kink mode. (author). Letter-to-the-editor. 22 refs, 6 figs