Heating Finite Beta Tokamak-Plasmas by Alfven Waves

Heating finite betas (relative to low beta) tokamak plasmas by Alfven waves is studied by means of a linearized kinetic model which takes into account ion sound and transit time magnetic pumping as well as the effect considered by preceding authors. In cylindrical geometry, a set of three second-order differential equations in r for the perturbed fields E_r, E_⊥, and E_|| is solved numerically. The results lead to a significant conclusion that Alfven wave heating may be an advanced way of heating plasmas in future tokamaks.