First observation of alpha particle loss induced by kinetic ballooning modes in TFTR deuterium-tritium experiments

A correlation between the measured alpha particle loss and high frequency ({approximately}100{endash}200 kHz) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modes has been observed in some high {beta} (= plasma pressure/magnetic pressure) DT plasmas in TFTR. These modes are localized around the peak plasma pressure gradient and have ballooning characteristics. Particle simulation shows that the loss is due to wave-particle resonances. Linear instability analysis indicates that the plasma is unstable to the kinetic MHD ballooning modes driven by strong local pressure gradients. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}