Quasilinear theory of the ordinary-mode electron-cyclotron resonance in plasmas

Abstract

A coupled set of equations, one describing the time evolution of the ordinary-mode wave energy and the other describing the time evolution of the electron distribution function, is presented. The wave damping is mainly determined by $T_{?}$, while the radiative equilibrium is mainly an equipartition with $T_{\perp }$. The time rate of change of $T_{\perp }$, $T_{?}$, particle density ($N_0$), and current density ($J_{?}$) are examined for finite-$k_{?}$ electron-cyclotron-resonance heating of plasmas. The effects of collisional broadening and collisional damping are also examined. For blackbody absorbing conditions it is shown that the increase of $T_{\perp }$ with time in electron-cyclotron-resonance heating is exponential and not linear. From the quasilinear theory it is found that the Ohkawa steady-state current drive efficiency criterion is really a consequence of the conservation laws of energy, momentum, particle density, and the collisional relaxation of the current density.