Time evolution of the velocity distribution of neutral-beam-injected ions heated by ICRH in a two-component plasma

Abstract

The time evolution of the distribution function of the beam-injected particles in the presence of ICRH in a two-component plasma is determined. Consideration is restricted to the time development during two complementary time periods: (i) the early time period, i.e. 0 ≤t ≪ TS, and (ii) the quasi-steady state, i.e. t > Ts, where Ts is the slowing-down time for beam-ion-electron collisions. Explicit analytical solutions are obtained for anisotropic as well as isotropie beam injection.