Effect of the Motion of Ions on the Penetration of a Rotating Magnetic Field into a Plasma Cylinder

Abstract

A simplified model for the rotating magnetic field (RMF) current drive in an infinitely long cylindrical plasma is considered. The model allows for motion of both the electron and ion fluids in the z and θ directions. It is assumed that equilibrium is satisfied on the average and hence the r components of the equations of motion are not considered. It is shown that the motion of the ion fluid does not introduce any significant modifications to the nonlinear mechanism for the penetration of the RMF into the plasma.