Blob birth and transport in the tokamak edge plasma: Analysis of imaging data

High-speed high-spatial-resolution data obtained by the gas puff imaging (GPI) diagnostic on the National Spherical Torus Experiment [M. Ono, M.G. Bell, R.E. Bell Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 45, A335 (2003).] is analyzed and interpreted in light of recent theoretical models for electrostatic edge turbulence and blob propagation. The experiment is described in terms of theoretical regimes that predict different dependencies for the radial velocity of blob convection. Using the GPI data, atomic physics analysis, and blob tracking on a restricted dataset, it is shown that the observed blob velocities in the scrape-off layer are bounded by a theory-based minimum velocity associated with the sheath-connected regime. A similar maximum velocity bound associated with the resistive-ballooning regime is also observed. Turning to the question of blob creation, it is shown that blobs are born with a density and temperature characteristic of the plasma conditions where underlying linear edge drift-curvature instabilities are localized. Finally, statistical variations in blob properties and in the radial blob velocity for given edge conditions are significant, and tend to mask any systematic changes among discharges with different conditions. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.