FIR Scattering from Electrostatic Modes at the Ion Cyclotron Range of Frequencies in a Tokamak Plasma

Abstract

In order to achieve success in magnetic confinement fusion, ion temperatures in excess of 10keV are required. Ohmic heating of tokamak plasmas is insufficient, and so some form of auxilliary heating is essential. In recent years heating at the ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) has been under active study as a cost effective and efficient alternative to neutral beam heating [1, 2]. At UCLA experiments aimed at understanding the generation mechanisms and propagation properties of the electrostatic waves produced during ICRF heating have been initiated. These experiments have produced the first direct observation in a tokamak of electrostatic modes in the ICRF.