Suppression of turbulence at low power input in a model for plasma confinement transitions

A physics-based condition is used to unfold a trapped or persistent degenerate singularity in a dynamical model for plasma confinement transitions. The bifurcation structure of the resulting enhanced model indicates that shear flow can actually grow as the power input is withdrawn, with concomitant supersuppression of turbulence. This is an important and testable prediction that suggests new design, management, and optimization strategies for new-generation fusion experiments.