A stochastic mechanism of electron heating

Journal Article · Wed Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2012 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4742988· OSTI ID:22086034

Galinsky, V L; Shevchenko, V I ^[1]

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1. University of California, San Diego, ECE Department, La Jolla, California 92093-0407 (United States)

Due to Landau resonant interaction with lower hybrid waves in the lower hybrid current drive scheme part of electrons are accelerated and, as a result of this, a tail of energetic electrons is formed on the electron distribution function. The same situation takes place in the problem of type III radio bursts when the suprathermal burst electrons acquire a plateau distribution due to excitation of plasma waves in the solar wind plasma. These distributions are unstable with respect to the cyclotron excitation of waves at anomalous Doppler resonance ('fan' instability). In this case, the tail electrons interact simultaneously with both (i) waves that accelerate or decelerate them (Cerenkov resonance) and (ii) waves excited in the process of the fan instability that led to their pitch angle diffusion. Because velocity diffusion lines of electrons formed due to heir interaction with each type of waves intersect, this interaction can lead not only to pitch angle diffusion but also to heating of electrons mainly in perpendicular direction. We investigated this mechanism of electron heating and studied the temporal evolution of the electron temperature and the energy of excited waves. Our results show significant enhancement of the electron perpendicular temperature T{sub Up-Tack} due to this stochastic heating mechanism.

• OSTI ID: 22086034
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 19; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
DIFFUSION
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
DOPPLER EFFECT
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
EXCITATION
LOWER HYBRID CURRENT DRIVE
LOWER HYBRID HEATING
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA WAVES
SOLAR WIND
STOCHASTIC PROCESSES
TAIL ELECTRONS