Enhanced coupling of the fast wave to electrons through mode conversion to the ion hybrid wave

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.872369· OSTI ID:503640

Lashmore-Davies, C N ^[1]; Fuchs, V ^[2]; Ram, A K; Bers, A ^[3]

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1. United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) (UKAEA/Euratom Fusion Association) Fusion, Culham, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 3DB (United Kingdom)
2. Centre Canadien de Fusion Magnetique, 1804 Montee Ste Julie, Varennes, Quebec, J3X 1S1 (Canada)
3. Plasma Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 (United States)

An analysis of ion cyclotron resonance heating in a plasma containing two ion species is given. Particular emphasis is placed on the important case of comparable concentrations of the two species. The properties of ion-Bernstein waves in such a plasma are discussed. A summary of the cutoff{endash}resonance (Budden) and cutoff{endash}resonance{endash}cutoff (triplet) configurations is given and an analytic expression obtained for the Budden transmission coefficient (relevant also to the triplet case), which is valid for any concentration ratio of the two-ion species. A formula for the damping coefficient of the ion hybrid wave is obtained and a ray tracing code is used to illustrate the absorption of this mode by electrons close to the two-ion hybrid resonance. The reduced, second-order fast wave equation is solved numerically, illustrating the transition from strong electron heating through mode conversion at the two-ion hybrid resonance to direct electron damping of the fast wave in a high beta plasma.

• OSTI ID: 503640
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 4; ISSN 1070-664X; ISSN PHPAEN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BERNSTEIN MODE
COUPLING
ION CYCLOTRON-RESONANCE
ION WAVES
PLASMA HEATING