TOROIDAL ETA(I)-MODE GLOBAL VORTICES IN A ROTATING PLASMA

Model equations describing dynamics of a toroidal eta(i) mode in a rot ating plasma are derived. The stationary solution of the model equatio ns is investigated analytically and the condition for global vortex fo rmation is found. The form of the solution is verified numerically and it is shown that the shape of global vortices is affected strongly by the shear of the plasma poloidal rotation. In weak shear, the station ary solution looks like a dipole vortex, while in strong shear, the ma in part of the plasma cross section is occupied by vortex flow. (C) 19 96 American Institute of Physics.