Electron cyclotron resonance heating of weakly relativistic plasmas

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.863986· OSTI ID:6789176

Chu, K R; Hui, B

Electron cyclotron resonance heating of magnetically confined plasmas is examined with a new formalism which allows convenient evaluation of wave energy deposition in electron energy and momentum spaces, as well as in real space. The formalism applies to wave propagation in general directions in a weakly relativistic plasma. The special case of wave perpendicular to the magnetic field is examined analytically and illustrated with numerical case studies. In that analysis, a general magnetic field profile is assumed. For the mirror-type devices, it is shown that, in contrast to tokamak heating, efficient wave absorption is obtainable at electron temperatures as low as a few eV. For the tandem mirror which operates at a very high temperature, it is shown that electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) results in either edge heating or formation of suprathermal electrons in the center. In comparison, it is shown that in the linear magnetic field profile of the tokamak, high electron temperature would actually favor heating of thermal electrons provided the wave is injected from the low magnetic field side.

• Research Organization: Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375
• OSTI ID: 6789176
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 26:1; 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
ABSORPTION
ALGORITHMS
BOLTZMANN STATISTICS
CONFINEMENT
DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
ECR HEATING
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ENERGY ABSORPTION
EQUATIONS
HEATING
HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING
INTEGRAL EQUATIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
MATHEMATICAL LOGIC
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA HEATING
RELATIVISTIC PLASMA
TENSORS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES