Temporal and spectral evolution of runaway electron bursts in TEXTOR disruptions

Abstract

Novel observations of the burst-like runaway electron losses in tokamak disruptions are reported. The runaway bursts are temporally resolved and first-time measurements of the corresponding runaway energy spectra are presented. A characteristic shape and burst to burst changes of the spectra are found. The runaway energy content of the disruptions and the conversion of the predisruptive magnetic energy are estimated. The radial decay of the runaways can be approximated by an exponential distribution. Deriving from the measurements, resistive tearing modes or kink modes are suggested to trigger the formation of the bursts. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.