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The computations of the phonon dispersion curves (PDC) of four equiatomic namely Li0.5Na0.5, Li0.5K0.5, Li0.5Rb0.5 and Li0.5Cs0.5, to second order in the local model potential is discussed in terms of the real-space sum of Born von Karman central force constants. Instead of the concentration average of the force constants of metallic Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs, the pseudo-alloy atom (PAA) is adopted to compute directly the force constants of four equiatomic Li-based binary alloys. The exchange and correlation functions due to Hartree (H) and Ichimaru-Utsumi (IU) are used to investigate the influence of screening effects. The phonon frequencies of four equiatomic Li-based binary alloys in the longitudinal branch are more sensitive to the exchange and correlation effects in comparison with the transverse branches. However, the frequencies in the longitudinal branch are suppressed due to IU-screening function than the frequencies due to static H-screening function. *

In this paper, recent results on the physics of neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs) achieved on ASDEX Upgrade are reported. A scaling law for NTM decay has been found, showing that the minimum local bootstrap current density required for mode growth is proportional to the ion gyro radius. As this scaling law does not depend on the seed island size, and thus on the background MHD activity, it is more reliable than previously derived scaling laws for the NTM onset. Furthermore, the recently reported frequently interrupted regime is discussed. In this new regime (m, n) NTMs are characterized by frequent amplitude drops caused by interaction with (m + 1, n + 1) background MHD activity. Due to the resulting reduced time averaged island size this leads to lower confinement degradation compared to that caused by the usual NTMs. As shown here, the transition into this regime can actively be triggered by lowering the magnetic shear at the q = (m+1)/(n+1) rational surface. Further investigations regard mechanisms to increase the β N value for NTM onset such as plasma shaping, seed island size and density profile control. Using these studies, a scenario with high β N (β N = 3.5) at high density (n/n GW = 0.83) and confinement (H 98(y,2) = 1.2) has been developed. Moreover, this scenario is characterized by type II ELM activity and thus by moderate heat load to the target plates. Finally, new NTM stabilization experiments are reported, demonstrating an increase in β N after NTM stabilization.

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