Quasi-linear theory of the loss-cone instability

Abstract

The loss-cone instability of plasma confined in a mirror-type trap is considered. Relaxation of the particle distribution in the trap with a length larger than the mean free path between ‘turbulent’ collisions is described by conventional quasilinear theory. A quasi-linear equation for the ion distribution is solved analytically for the case of a small loss-cone volume of particles in velocity space (it takes place, for instance, in the case of a trap with a larger mirror ratio).