Propagation and damping of mode converted ion-Bernstein waves in toroidal plasmas

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Physics of Fluids B; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859834· OSTI ID:5618210

Ram, A K; Bers, A ^[1]

---

1. Plasma Fusion Center and Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 (US)

In the heating of tokamak plasmas by waves in the ion-cyclotron range of frequencies, the fast Alfven waves launched at the plasma edge can mode convert to the ion-Bernstein waves (IBW). The propagation and damping of these mode converted waves was studied using a ray tracing code that follows the fast phase and the amplitude of the electromagnetic field along the IBW ray trajectories in a toroidal plasma. A simple analytical model is developed that describes the numerically observed features of propagation and damping of the IBW's. It is found that along the ray trajectory of the IBW there is an upshift of the poloidal mode numbers, which can lead to the electron Landau damping of the wave. This damping is dependent on the strength of the toroidal plasma current. From the properties of the upshift of the poloidal mode numbers, it is concluded that the mode converted ion-Bernstein waves are not suitable candidates for electron current drive.

• DOE Contract Number: AC02-78ET51013
• OSTI ID: 5618210
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids B; (USA), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids B; (USA) Vol. 3:4; ISSN PFBPE; ISSN 0899-8221
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700108* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
ALFVEN WAVES
AMPLITUDES
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
ANNULAR SPACE
BERNSTEIN MODE
CLOSED CONFIGURATIONS
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
COMPUTER CODES
CONFIGURATION
CONVERSION
DAMPING
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
END EFFECTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
HEATING
HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
ICR HEATING
ION WAVES
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
OSCILLATION MODES
PLASMA
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA SIMULATION
PLASMA WAVES
RADIATIONS
SIMULATION
SPACE
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOKAMAK DEVICES
TOROIDAL CONFIGURATION
TRAJECTORIES
WAVE PROPAGATION