Change of the resonant electron orbit from trapped orbit to passing orbit in fast wave current drive

TL;DR

This paper investigates how resonant electron orbits change from trapped to passing in fast wave current drive, showing that such transitions can enhance current drive efficiency by reducing trapped electron effects.

Contribution

It introduces a computational method to determine the conditions under which trapped resonant electrons transition to passing orbits, improving understanding of current drive mechanisms.

Findings

Trapped electrons can transition to passing orbits under certain conditions.

Transition reduces trapped electron effects, potentially increasing current drive efficiency.

Simulation results confirm the transition criteria.

Abstract

In fast wave current drive, the resonant electron is accelerated by fast wave in the direction parallel to the static magnetic field, and the parallel velocity will be increased. The trajectories of the trapped resonant electrons are calculated with a computer code in which fast wave-induced diffusion in velocity space is accounted for by a quasi-linear operator. The simulation results show that the orbit of trapped resonant electron will change from a trapped orbit to a passing orbit in some cases. We obtain the transition conditions, and if they are satisfied the trapped orbit will become a passing orbit. The transition from trapped orbit to passing orbit implies that the effect of trapped electrons on current drive will be reduced and the current drive efficiency will be improved.