Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating in the Wisconsin Supported Toroidal Octupole

J. D. Barter and J. C. Sprott
University of Wisconsin Physics Department, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, U.S.A.
(Received 28 January 1977)

ABSTRACT

Ion heating at the fundamental of the cyclotron resonance (1 MHz <= 3 MHz) in a toroidal octupole magnetic field is found to be in good agreement with single particle, cold plasma theory at power levels Pabs <~ 100 kW (E <~ 100 V/m) and ion temperatures kTi <~ 600 eV. Good penetration of the electric field is observed in the dnesest available plasmas (n ~ 7 x 10^12 /cc) with no evidence of parametric decay or enhanced particle loss other than temperature dependent losses such as thermal flow to obstacles. Ion temperatures are limited by charge exchange on the large neutral reflux at the higher rf powers.

Ref: J. D. Barter and J. C. Sprott, Plasma Physics 19, 945-957 (1977)

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