Statistical properties of drift wave turbulence in low-temperature plasmas

The objective of this paper is to explore low-temperature, laboratory plasmas as a benchmark for turbulence simulation codes originally designed for the edge region of fusion plasmas. Although the plasma parameters are different from those of a fusion plasma, the dimensionless parameters governing the fluid equations for turbulence simulation are similar. Simulations for a wide range of plasma parameters were carried out to identify relevant quantities which allow to experimentally distinguish the importance of different turbulence coupling mechanisms such as parallel resistivity or magnetic curvature. Wavenumber spectra of density and potential fluctuations and their phases were identified to be relevant for revealing the underlying physical processes. Cross-correlations in the drift plane give insight in the microstructure of the turbulence.