Velocity-Space Diffusion of Wave-Heated Electrons in a Mirror Field

Abstract

A theoretical model is presented which accounts for an enhanced flux of loss-cone electrons observed when fundamental electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) is applied on a magnetic slope in a tandem-mirror plasma. The essential point of the model consists in the velocity-space diffusion across densely converging heating-characteristic curves along which electrons have high mobility under strong ECRH. Remaining shortcomings in the present model are also addressed.