Backward electrostatic ion cyclotron wave, fast wave current drive, and FIR laser

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5877159

Goree, J A

The first observations of several rf wave phenomena in a magnetized plasma are presented. The backward branch of the electrostatic ion cyclotron wave, which was previously described in reports of theoretical but not experimental work, was observed. This hot magnetized plasma mode propagates for frequencies above each harmonic of the ion cyclotron frequency. A phase antenna structure, inserted into a neon plasma, excited the wave. An experimental dispersion relation produced from probe measurements of the mode agrees with the dispersion relation predicted using linear theory. Fast wave current drive in a toroidal plasma was observed for the first time. A loop antenna launched the fast Alfven wave in the range of high ion-cyclotron harmonics, ..omega../..cap omega.. = O(10). Signals from magnetic loop probes, Langmuir probes, and FIR laser scattering revealed the identity of the mode. Using a single antenna to launch the wave into a plasma containing a unidirectional electron beam, the circulating current increased according to the rf power applied. This increase in current occurs when the plasma is sufficiently dense to support fast wave propagation. Fast wave current drive may be a desirable method of sustaining the toroidal current in a fusion reactor.

• Research Organization: Princeton Univ., NJ (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5877159
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700102 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Diagnostics
700108* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
ANNULAR SPACE
CONFIGURATION
CURRENT-DRIVE HEATING
CYCLOTRON RESONANCE
DISPERSION RELATIONS
ELECTRIC HEATING
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
HEATING
INFRARED RADIATION
ION CYCLOTRON-RESONANCE
JOULE HEATING
LASER RADIATION
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA WAVES
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
RESISTANCE HEATING
RESONANCE
SCATTERING
SPACE
TOROIDAL CONFIGURATION