Electron behavior during electron cyclotron resonance heating in a stellarator

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical studies of the electron energy distribution during electron cyclotron resonant heating of a target plasma in the Interchangeable Module Stellarator (IMS) [IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. PS-9, 212 (1981)] have been made. The experimental results show an electron energy distribution with a bulk Maxwellian component (f0) with a temperature of 10–25 eV, and a warm component (f1) with an average energy of 140–160 eV. The electron energy distribution is obtained numerically with a particle-following Monte Carlo simulation. To model the electron cyclotron heating interactions with the electrons, an rf collision model based on stochastic electron–wave interactions is used. Results from this simulation are compared to experimental results. The experimental measurements and the calculated distributions agree well, to within experimental error.