Experimental studies on current drive by slow lower-hybrid waves

Very slow lower-hybrid waves travelling unidirectionally with a phase velocity of a few times the electron thermal velocity have been used to drive surface currents in a tokamak plasma. Most of the wave energy is dissipated at the plasma surface by virtue of a strong interaction with the electrons. This leads to electron acceleration up to velocities an order of magnitude greater than the electron thermal velocity. Electron trapping by the wave is discussed as a possible mechanism for surface current generation.