Plasma production and heating in a tandem mirror central cell by radio-frequency waves in the ion cyclotron frequency range

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.866893· OSTI ID:6643167

Golovato, S N; Brau, K; Casey, J; Coleman, J; Gerver, M J; Guss, W; Hallock, G; Horne, S; Irby, J; Kumazawa, R; others, and

Plasma production and heating in the central cell of the Tara tandem mirror (Nucl. Fusion 22, 549 (1982); Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research, 1986, Proceedings of the 11th International Conference, Kyoto, Japan (IAEA, Vienna, 1987), Vol. 2, p. 251) have been studied. Using radio-frequency excitation by a slot antenna in the ion cyclotron frequency range (ICRF), plasmas with a peak ..beta../sub perpendicular/ of 3%, density of 4 x 10/sup 12/ cm/sup -3/, ion temperature of 800 eV, and electron temperature of 75--100 eV were routinely produced. The plasma radius decreased with increasing ICRF power, causing reduced ICRF coupling and saturation of the plasma beta. About 70% of the applied ICRF power can be accounted for in direct heating of both ions and electrons. Wave field measurements have identified the applied ICRF to be the slow, ion cyclotron wave. In operation without end plugging, the plasma parameters were limited by poor axial confinement and the requirements for maintenance of magnetohydrodynamic stability and microstability.

• Research Organization: Plasma Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
• OSTI ID: 6643167
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 31:12; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
CYCLOTRON RESONANCE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EQUILIBRIUM
HEATING
HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING
ICR HEATING
INSTABILITY
ION CYCLOTRON-RESONANCE
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
MICROWAVE HEATING
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
PLASMA PRODUCTION
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
RESONANCE
RF SYSTEMS
TANDEM MIRRORS
TARA DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TRAPPED-PARTICLE INSTABILITY