Evolution of the current density profile associated with magnetic island formation in JT-60U.

Evolution of the current density profile associated with magnetic island formation of an m/n=2/1 tearing mode was measured using a motional Stark effect (MSE) diagnostic for the first time in the JT-60U tokamak. With the island growth, the current density profile turned flat at the radial region of the island, followed by an appearance of a hollow structure. As the island shrank, the flat region became narrower, and it finally diminished after the disappearance of the island. The fluctuation of the local poloidal magnetic field from MSE showed a strong correlation with a slow island rotation. This indicates that the observed deformation in the current density profile is localized at the island O point.