Experimental study of sheared poloidal flows in a linear plasma machine

The radial profiles of fluctuations have been investigated in the Santander Linear Plasma Machine (SLPM). Experimental evidence of significant poloida l and E x B sheared flow has been observed in the plasma periphery. The res ulting shearing rate of poloidal flow is comparable to the inverse of the c orrelation time of fluctuations, and the radial correlation is significantl y reduced in the shear layer location. The possible role of flows driven by fluctuations and electron temperature gradients to explain these results i s at present under investigation.