A unified theory of zonal flow shears and density corrugations in drift wave turbulence

Abstract A unified theory of zonal flow shears and density corrugations in drift wave turbulence is presented. Polarization advection beat excitation are studied combination with modulational response. Noise driven by two-time flux correlation. While the effective eddy viscosity can go negative, diffusivity positive definite. There no inverse cascade corrugation. The connection between avalanches discussed. cross-correlation identified calculated. Conditions for alignment corrugation gradients determined, implications staircase structure We show that synergy noise effects stronger than either alone. Strong flows be excited well below instability threshold. In context L–H transition, quenches overshoot eliminating threshold excitation. power transition lowered.