PONDEROMOTIVE MODIFICATION OF DRIFT TEARING MODES

The linear characteristics of drift tearing modes are investigated in the presence of a significant background of radio-frequency waves in t he ion cyclotron range of frequencies. The ponderomotive force, arisin g from the radial gradients in the rf field energy, is found to signif icantly modify the inner layer solutions of the drift tearing modes. I t can have a stabilizing influence, even at moderate rf powers, provid ed the field energy has a decreasing radial profile at the mode ration al surface. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.