Dominant Influence of Electron Inertia on Ion Cyclotron-Wave Generation in Plasma

Abstract

Electron inertia is predicted to have a dominant influence on ion cyclotron-wave propagation as the wave frequency approaches the ion cyclotron frequency. This influence should effect a reduction in the Stix coil coupling to a plasma column as the plasma density is lowered. Experimental coupling measurements, taken over an appropriate range of plasma density (2×${10}^{10}$ to 2.8×${10}^{12}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{-3\mathrm{}}$) on the Model-C stellarator, demonstrate the validity of the theoretical conclusion.