Neutral recycling effects on ITG turbulence

The effects of recycled neutral atoms on tokamak ion temperaturegradient (ITG) driven turbulence have been investigated in a steepedge pedestal, magnetic separatrix configuration, with the full-fedge gryokinetic code XGC1. Ion temperature gradient turbulence isthe most fundamental and robust edge plasma instability, having a longradial correlation length and an ability to impact other forms ofpedestal turbulence. The neutral atoms enhance the ITG turbulence,first, by increasing the ion temperature gradient in the pedestal viathe cooling effects of charge exchange and, second, by a relativereduction in the ExB shearing rate.