Current-Drive Efficiency in a Degenerate Plasma
a degenerate plasma, the rates of electron processes are much smaller than the classical model would predict, affecting the efficiencies of current generation by external non-inductive means, such as by electromagnetic radiation or intense ion beams. For electron-based mechanisms, the current-drive efficiency is higher than the classical prediction by more than a factor of 6 in a degenerate hydrogen plasma, mainly because the electron-electron collisions do not quickly slow down fast electrons. Moreover, electrons much faster than thermal speeds are more readily excited without exciting thermal electrons. In ion-based mechanisms of current drive, the efficiency is likewise enhanced due to the degeneracy effects, since the electron stopping power on slow ion beams is significantly reduced.
- Research Organization:
- Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH0-3073, DE-FG02-05ER54838
- OSTI ID:
- 934519
- Report Number(s):
- PPPL-4130; R&D Project: DOE Research Grant No. DE-FG52-04NA00139; TRN: US0803893
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review Letters, Vol. 95, Issue 22
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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