Alpha power channeling using ion-Bernstein waves

An economically superior development path to a tokamak reactor may be possible, if α-particle power can first be extracted by plasma waves and then channeled to heat fuel ions. In principle, both increased reactivity and current drive could be accomplished at once. The most complete channeling is likely to be realized only through the excitation of a variety of waves, since α-particles at different velocities or at different locations within the tokamak interact most effectively with different waves. The necessary characteristics for these waves have been identified, but no specific implementation is yet at hand. The mode converted ion Bernstein wave, however, has a certain number of the required wave features, and is likely to play a useful role in helping to realize the channeling effect.