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Current-drive efficiency in a degenerate plasma
In a degenerate plasma, the rates of electron processes are much smaller than the classical model would predict, affecting the efficiencies of current generation by external noninductive means, such as by electromagnetic radiation or intense ion beams. For electron-based mechanisms, the current-driv...
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Published in: | Physical review letters 2005-11, Vol.95 (22), p.225002.1-225002.4, Article 225002 |
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Main Authors: | , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | In a degenerate plasma, the rates of electron processes are much smaller than the classical model would predict, affecting the efficiencies of current generation by external noninductive means, such as by electromagnetic radiation or intense ion beams. For electron-based mechanisms, the current-drive efficiency is higher than the classical prediction by more than a factor of 6 in a degenerate hydrogen plasma, mainly because the electron-electron collisions do not quickly slow down fast electrons. Moreover, electrons much faster than thermal speeds are more readily excited without exciting thermal electrons. In ion-based mechanisms of current drive, the efficiency is likewise enhanced due to the degeneracy effects, since the electron stopping power on slow ion beams is significantly reduced. |
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ISSN: | 0031-9007 1079-7114 |
DOI: | 10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.225002 |