Plasma-wave coupling and propagation using phased waveguide arrays

Abstract

A study of the coupling and propagation of electron plasma waves excited by waveguide arrays is presented. The waves are generated in a low-temperature, linear plasma column in a homogeneous magnetic field. As predicted from a theoretical model, under appropriate conditions efficient coupling to plasma waves can be obtained. These studies are of relevance to plasma heating in that the modes are identical with those that must be generated in any lower hybrid heating experiment. We discuss the implications of these results with respect to future heating experiments on large devices.