The first nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations of electron internal transport
barriers (e-ITBs) in the National Spherical Torus Experiment show that reversed
magnetic shear can suppress thermal transport by increasing the nonlinear
critical gradient for electron-temperature-gradient-driven turbulence to three
times its linear critical value. An interesting feature of this turbulence is
nonlinearly driven off-midplane radial streamers. This work reinforces the
experimental observation that magnetic shear is likely an effective way of
triggering and sustaining e-ITBs in magnetic fusion devices.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure
