Temporal evolution of lower-hybrid waves in the presence of ponderomotive density fluctuations

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.863229· OSTI ID:6978541

Karney, C F.F.

The propagation of lower-hybrid waves in the presence of ponderomotive density fluctuations is considered. The problem is treated in two dimensions, and in order to be able to correctly impose the boundary conditions, the waves are allowed to evolve in time. The fields are described by iv/sub tau/-..integral.. v/sub xi/ dzeta+v/sub zetazeta/+Vertical BarvVertical Bar/sup 2/v=0, where v is proportional to the electric field, tau to time, and zeta and xi measure distances across and along the lower-hybrid ray. The behavior of the waves is investigated numerically. If the amplitude of the waves is large enough, the spectrum of the waves broadens and their parallel wavelength becomes shorter. The assumptions made in the formulation preclude the application of these results to the lower-hybrid heating experiment on Alcator-A. Nevertheless, there are indications that the physics embodied in this problem are responsible for some of the results of that experiment.

• Research Organization: Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH03073
• OSTI ID: 6978541
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 24:1; 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
700108 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
AMPLITUDES
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
FLUCTUATIONS
HEATING
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PLASMA HEATING
TIME DEPENDENCE
VARIATIONS
WAVE PROPAGATION