Enhanced loss of magnetic-mirror-trapped fast electrons by a shear Alfvén wave
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095 (United States)
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742 (United States)
Laboratory observations of enhanced loss of magnetic mirror trapped fast electrons irradiated by a shear Alfvén Wave (SAW) are reported. The experiment is performed in the quiescent after-glow plasma in the Large Plasma Device [Gekelman et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 62(12), 2875–2883 (1991)]. A trapped energetic electron population (>100 keV) is generated in a magnetic mirror section (mirror ratio ≈ 2, length = 3.5 m) by an X-mode high power microwave pulse, and forms a hot electron ring due to the grad-B and curvature drift. SAWs of arbitrary polarization are launched externally by a Rotating Magnetic Field source (δB/B{sub 0} ≈ 0.1%, λ{sub ∥} ≈ 9 m). Irradiated by a right-handed circularly polarized SAW, the loss of electrons, in both the radial and the axial direction of the mirror field, is significantly enhanced and is modulated at f{sub Alfvén}. The periodical loss continues even after the termination of the SAW. Experimental observations suggest that a spatial distortion of the ring is formed in the SAW field and creates a collective mode of the hot electron population that degrades its confinement and leads to electron loss from the magnetic mirror. The results could have implications on techniques of radiation belt remediation.
- OSTI ID:
- 22252975
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 21; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Non-linear Alfvén wave interaction leading to resonant excitation of an acoustic mode in the laboratory
Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance of fast ions with circularly polarized shear Alfven waves
Spectral gap of shear Alfven waves in a periodic array of magnetic mirrors
Journal Article
·
Fri May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2015
· Physics of Plasmas
·
OSTI ID:22410375
Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance of fast ions with circularly polarized shear Alfven waves
Journal Article
·
Fri May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2009
· Physics of Plasmas
·
OSTI ID:21277143
Spectral gap of shear Alfven waves in a periodic array of magnetic mirrors
Journal Article
·
Mon Jan 14 23:00:00 EST 2008
· Physics of Plasmas
·
OSTI ID:21069943