Minimum enstrophy flows in drift wave turbulence with neutral particles

Abstract It is shown that the quasi-2D nature of drift wave turbulence can be preserved in the presence of neutral particles. As a consequence, potential vorticity is conserved in the system and constraints the evolution of the system. The minimum enstrophy principle for 2D turbulence is applied to drift wave turbulence with neutral particle effects. The analysis predicts the formation of various vortex/flow structures, including large scale shear (zonal) flows. The resultant flow profile is calculated. The natural scales for the flow structure is given by Rhine’s scale, with the neutral flow effect included. The result indicates that plasma flow shear can be controlled via neutral particles in the edge region.