Mode conversion and electron damping of the fast Alfven wave in a tokamak at the ion--ion hybrid frequency
- Plasma Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 (United States)
Mode conversion of the fast Alfven wave (FAW) at the ion-hybrid frequency in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) is studied in the presence of ion cyclotron absorption and direct electron damping in a tokamak plasma. The usual Budden model is extended to include the effect of electron damping and of the high-field-side cutoff, and is solved analytically and numerically. The mode-conversion efficiency is given as a function of the Budden transmission coefficient and of a phase integral, which describes interference between the incoming and outgoing waves. In incidence from the low-field side, a discrete spectrum of phases exists for which complete absorption (i.e., combined mode conversion and direct electron damping) of the FAW for a single transit of the resonance region can be achieved. This permits efficient electron heating and/or current drive via mode conversion of FAWs.
- Research Organization:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-91ER54109
- OSTI ID:
- 46363
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 2; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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