PLASMA ENERGIZATION

Patent · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1962

OSTI ID:4791966

Furth, H P; Chambers, E S

BS>A method is given for ion cyclotron resonance heatthg of a magnetically confined plasma by an applied radio-frequency field. In accordance with the invention, the radiofrequency energy is transferred to the plasma without the usual attendent self-shielding effect of plasma polarlzatlon, whereby the energy transfer is accomplished with superior efficiency. More explicitly, the invention includes means for applying a radio-frequency electric field radially to an end of a plasma column confined in a magnetic mirror field configuration. The radio-frequency field propagates hydromagnetic waves axially through the column with the waves diminishing in an intermediate region of the column at ion cyclotron resonance with the fleld frequency. In such region the wave energy is converted by viscous damping to rotational energy of the plasma ions. (AEC)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-16-011109
• Assignee: U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
• Patent Number(s): US 3024182
• OSTI ID: 4791966
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALFVEN WAVES
CONFIGURATION
CONFINEMENT
CYCLOTRON RADIATION
CYLINDERS
DAMPING
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
ENERGY
FREQUENCY
HEATING
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
IONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
OSCILLATIONS
PHYSICS
PLANNING
PLASMA
PLASMA WAVES
POLARIZATION
RADIO WAVES
RESONANCE
ROTATION
VISCOSITY