Wave Trajectory and Electron-Cyclotron Heating in Toroidal Plasmas

Abstract

Wave trajectories propagating obliquely to the magnetic field in toroidal plasmas are studied theoretically. Results show that the ordinary wave at the appropriate incident angle is mode converted to the extraordinary wave at the first turning point and is further converted to the electron Bernstein wave while passing a loop or a folded curve near the second turning point and is cyclotron-damped away, resulting in local electron heating, before arriving at the cyclotron resonance layer.