Effect of electron flow on the ordinary-extraordinary mode conversion
- Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031 (China)
- Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China) and Center for Magnetic Fusion Theory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031 (China)
Ordinary-extraordinary mode conversion in the electron cyclotron frequency range is revisited in the presence of a flowing electron component. The analytical expressions of optimal parallel refraction index and conversion efficiency are obtained from a one-dimensional cold plasma model. The presence of flowing electrons leads to an outward shift of the conversion layer and therefore increases the optimal value of parallel refraction index. If this effect is not considered, the efficiency of mode conversion degenerates. In typical tokamak plasmas, this degeneration is about a few percentages, which may induce the reflection of several tens of kilowatts of power from the cutoff layer when injecting megawatts of ECRF power into fusion plasma.
- OSTI ID:
- 22047023
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 18, Issue 10; Other Information: (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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