The Impact of Radio Frequency Waves on the Plasma Density in the Tokamak Edge

Abstract

A simple model is presented to describe how the radio frequency electromagnetic field modifies the plasma density the antenna faces in tokamaks. Aside from “off-the-shelf” equations standardly used to describe wave-plasma interaction relying on the quasilinear approach, it invokes the ponderomotive force in presence of the confining static magnetic field. The focus is on dynamics perpendicular to the Bo magnetic field. Stronger fields result in density being pushed further away from the launcher and in stronger density asymmetry along the antenna.