INTERACTION OF ION CLUSTERS WITH FUSION PLASMAS - SCALING LAWS

The interaction between large ion clusters or very intense ion beams w ith fusion plasma is studied using the dielectric function formalism w ith appropriate quantum corrections. The contributions from individual and collective modes to the energy loss are calculated. The general p roperties of the interference effects are characterized in terms of th e relevant parameters, and simple scaling laws are obtained. In partic ular, the conditions for a maximum enhancement in the energy depositio n are derived. The study provides a unified view and a general formula tion of collective effects in the energy loss for low and high velocit ies of the beam particles.