Stochastic Heating of Ions by Linear Polarized Alfvaen Waves

The ion motion in the presence of linear polarized Alfven waves is studied. For a linearly polarized wave, nonlinear resonances can occur when the amplitude of Alfven wave is large enough. Under certain conditions, these resonances can overlap and thus make the ion motion chaotic. In this process, the plasma can be heated without the limitation of cyclotron resonant condition. Taking into account of a spectrum of waves, the stochastic condition can decrease largely. In addition, the preferential heating can be found in the perpendicular
direction.