Coupling of Lower-Hybrid Radiation at the Plasma Edge.
Abstract
This investigation considers the mode-conversion process encountered in the lower-hybrid heating scheme at the edge of the plasma, where the frequency of the external radiation is comparable to the local value of the electron plasma frequency. The problem is formulated in terms of a modulational representation of the electric field that permits the description of the full space-time evolution of the process. The numerical study of the model equations confirm that a backward wave is excited at the edge and that it leads to a net energy flow directed toward the interior of the plasma. For small external power levels, the flow is characterized by the propagation of a leading-edge pulse whose arrival at a given spatial location marks the onset of the steady-state. At large external power levels, the self-consistent modification of the density profile by the pondermotive force is found to quench the mode-conversion process, thus causing a significant reduction in the amount of RF energy that can be coupled from the external source to the interior of the plasma. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA037523
Entities
People
- George J. Morales
Organizations
- University of California, Los Angeles