Intermittent plasma objects (IPOs) featuring higher pressure than the surro
unding plasma, and responsible for similar to 50% of the ExB(T) radial tran
sport, are observed in the scrape off layer (SOL) and edge of the DIII-D to
kamak [J. Watkins , Rev. Sci. Instrum. 63, 4728 (1992)]. Conditional averag
ing reveals that the IPOs, produced at a rate of similar to 3x10(3) s(-1),
are positively charged and also polarized, featuring poloidal electric fiel
ds of up to 4000 V/m. The IPOs move poloidally at speeds of up to 5000 m/s
and radially with ExB(T)/B-2 velocities of similar to 2600 m/s near the las
t closed flux surface (LCFS), and similar to 330 m/s near the wall. The IPO
s slow down as they shrink in radial size from 4 cm at the LCFS to 0.5 cm n
ear the wall. The IPOs appear in the SOL of both L and H mode discharges an
d are responsible for nearly 50% of the SOL radial ExB transport at all rad
ii; however, they are highly reduced in absolute amplitude in H-mode condit
ions. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.