DOMINANT INFLUENCE OF ELECTRON INERTIA ON ION CYCLOTRON-WAVE GENERATION IN PLASMA

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 (2×1010 to 2.8×1012 cm-3) on the Model-C stellarator, demonstrate the validity of the theoretical conclusion. © 1969 The American Physical Society.