Limitation on Ion Cyclotron Heating in the Local Mirrors of the C Stellarator

Abstract

The experimental observation of the limiting phenomena of ion cyclotron resonance heating in the shallow magnetic beach is described and its explanation by the reflection of the wave is discussed. The temperature-anisotropic plasma dispersion relation is solved with the aid of an electronic computer. The unexpected singular point which causes the reflection of waves is found in the unstable region of the ion cyclotron wave. The calculated limiting value of the ion temperature due to the wave reflection is given by β⊥c ≈ 4(T∥/T⊥)2, in reasonable agreement with the experiment.