Quasilinear theory of the ordinary-mode electron-cyclotron resonance in plasmas

A coupled set of equations, one describing the time evolution of the ordinary-mode wave energy and the other describing the time evolution of the electron distribution function, is presented. The wave damping is mainly determined by T?, while the radiative equilibrium is mainly an equipartition with T. The time rate of change of T, T?, particle density (N0), and current density (J?) are examined for finite-k? electron-cyclotron-resonance heating of plasmas. The effects of collisional broadening and collisional damping are also examined. For blackbody absorbing conditions it is shown that the increase of T with time in electron-cyclotron-resonance heating is exponential and not linear. From the quasilinear theory it is found that the Ohkawa steady-state current drive efficiency criterion is really a consequence of the conservation laws of energy, momentum, particle density, and the collisional relaxation of the current density.