Angewandte Plasmaphysik: Große Wirbel (Zonal flows und andere Strukturen) in Kernfusionsreaktoren, auf dem Jupiter, in Klima und Astrophysik

What it is about

You learn how large-scale structures such as zonal flows form in turbulent systems – using fusion plasmas as an example, but also in planetary and astrophysical contexts (e.g. Jupiter, Earth’s atmosphere). In the end you will be able to describe the relevant fundamental equations and mechanisms and assess their importance for heat transport and self-organization.

What you will be able to do

• Describe current experimental research results and measurement methods on zonal flows and self-organization
• Understand and present magnetohydrodynamic and drift-/gyrokinetic fundamental equations
• Derive and describe anelastic equations for turbulence in rotating planetary/star atmospheres
• Characterize different types of global flows in fusion plasmas and planetary/star atmospheres
• Derive or estimate important convective turbulence types (e.g. drift waves, Rayleigh–Taylor, Rossby waves) and their influence on zonal flows
• Understand methods and problems of computer simulation of the treated systems
• Derive conservation laws in 2D/3D hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic turbulence
• Apply the principle of cascades and conservation laws to explain collective phenomena
• Explain fundamental waves in the mentioned systems and their influence on momentum and energy transport

What the module consists of

• VorlesungDelivery of thematic content and demonstration of universal physical concepts with cross-references
• ÜbungsaufgabenDeepening and practice of the content using problem examples and calculation tasks
• Demonstrationsexperimente/VisualisierungenMotivation and visualization of the treated phenomena

Teaching method

• thematisch strukturierte VorlesungFor presenting the learning content and highlighting universal concepts
• wissenschaftliche DiskussionenPromotion of analytical-physical thinking and inclusion of students
• ÜbungsaufgabenApplication and deepening of what has been learned through own calculations
• Demonstrationsexperimente/FilmeMotivation and visualization of the phenomena