Suppression of the intermittent blob-type transport by the resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) in the TEXTOR tokamak

During the static 6/2 DED (dynamic ergodic divertor) experiments at TEXTOR, a significant impact of the edge resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) on the blob transport in the scrape-off layer (SOL) has been observed. In ohmic discharges without the RMP, the turbulence intermittency extends deep into the SOL with a radially-outward speed of ∼1 km/s and ejects large turbulent flux. The fraction of the blob-carried to total turbulent flux is enhanced with increasing plasma density and reaches about 60% of the total flux in the SOL in high density discharges. With the application of the RMP, the blob size and their radially moving velocity are both reduced, resulting in a suppression of the blob transport in the SOL. It has been found that the suppression effect of the RMP on blobs is independent of the change of edge equilibrium profiles and the phasing variation of the RMP as well. The physical mechanisms appear to be consistent with the radial interchange motions of the blob structures.