Turbulent transport and turbulence in radiative I mode plasmas in TEXTOR-94

First measurements of turbulence levels and turbulence induced transport in the outer edge of the plasma of TEXTOR-94 during radiative improved mode discharges show a reduction by a factor of 4-7 of the radial particle turbulent transport. The quenching is most evident on the normalized potential fluctuations and is strongest above 100 kHz. Non-linear gyrokinetic particle-in-cell simulations of these discharges show impurity induced suppression of the electrostatic fluctuations associated with the ion temperature gradient driven mode over most of the cross-section, including the edge. Such a mechanism is proposed as the explanation for the improved confinement and turbulence reduction. The reduction in the edge turbulent transport levels is consistent with increased particle confinement time and the reduction of the SOL thickness. Particle and energy fluxes to the limiter are reduced by an order of magnitude. A concomitant increase of the measured energy and particle confinement times tau sub(E) and tau sub(P) versus radiated fraction suggests a common underlying suppression mechanism.