Edge electrostatic fluctuations and transport in a reversed-field pinch

Electrostatic fluctuations have been measured in a large reversed-field pinch, and are large (n${\mathrm{̃}}_{\mathit{e}}$/n∼20%–40%, T${\mathrm{̃}}_{\mathit{e}}$/T∼10%–25%). Frequency and wave-number spectra are broad (Δn∼70–150, Δm∼3–6), and differ from measured magnetic fluctuation spectra. The transport inferred from correlation measurements indicates that electrostatic fluctuations can account for significant particle losses, but contribute <15% to energy loss.