Effects of an alpha particle slowing-down distribution on tokamak ballooning modes

Technical Report · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6295195· OSTI ID:6295195

Spong, D. A.; Hastings, D. E.; Sigmar, D. J.; Cooper, W. A.

Energetic trapped alpha particles interact through their precessional drift with high-mode-number ballooning modes in tokamaks. Due to the energy dependence of the precessional drift, the consequences of this interaction depend on the form of the alpha distribution function. Results are compared here for two forms of alpha distribution: a Maxwellian and a slowing-down distribution. The latter has a significantly greater influence on ballooning stability because of the larger fraction of particles in the energy range of the drift resonance. Also, due to the dependence on the critical velocity (..alpha.. T/sub e/sup 1/2/), the stability boundaries and growth rates now are strong functions of the background electron temperature T/sub e/. Parameters typical of tokamak breakeven experiments such as the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) are considered. 7 refs., 7 figs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6295195
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-9688; ON: DE86004647
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700105* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Plasma Kinetics-Theoretical-- (-1987)
700107 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
ALPHA PARTICLES
BALLOONING INSTABILITY
BOLTZMANN STATISTICS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
FUNCTIONS
INSTABILITY
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
SLOWING-DOWN
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOKAMAK DEVICES