RF wave effects on the neoclassical electron distribution function in tokamaks

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.49591· OSTI ID:285242

Schultz, S D; Bers, A; Ram, A K ^[1]

---

1. Plasma Fusion Center, M.I.T., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, (United States)

In advanced steady-state tokamak scenarios, a substantial fraction of the necessary plasma current will be provided by the bootstrap current. We consider the possibility of enhancing the bootstrap current using radio frequency (RF) waves. The velocity-space distribution function for electrons satisfies the drift kinetic equation which includes radial drifts due to magnetic field gradient and curvature. RF waves are then included by adding a quasilinear diffusion operator to the drift kinetic equation. The resulting bootstrap current is then found by taking the usual velocity-space moment of the RF-modified electron distribution. Analytic solutions using several techniques, including an expansion in small parameters, will be considered for different RF waves (lower hybrid, fast Alfv{acute e}n waves, electron cyclotron). Numerical methods for solving the drift kinetic equation will be discussed. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: FG02-91ER54109
• OSTI ID: 285242
• Report Number(s): CONF-9505105--
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 355; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BOOTSTRAP CURRENT
CURRENT-DRIVE HEATING
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ELECTRON DRIFT
KINETIC EQUATIONS
NEOCLASSICAL TRANSPORT THEORY
RF SYSTEMS
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
TOKAMAK DEVICES