KINETIC-THEORY OF PLASMA ADIABATIC MAJOR RADIUS COMPRESSION IN TOKAMAKS

In order to understand the individual charged particle behavior as wel l as plasma macroparameters (temperature, density, etc.) during the ad iabatic major radius compression (R-compression) in a tokamak, a kinet ic approach is used. The perpendicular electric field from the Ohm's l aw at zero resistivity is made use of in order to describe particle mo tion during the R-compression. Expressions for both passing and trappe d particle energy and pitch angle change are derived for a plasma with high aspect ratio and circular magnetic surfaces. The particle behavi or near the passing trapped boundary during the compression is studied to simulate the compression-induced collisional losses of alpha parti cles. Qualitative agreement is obtained with the alphas loss measureme nts in deuterium-tritium (D-T) experiments in the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) [World Survey of Activities in Controlled Fusion Resear ch [Nucl. Fusion special supplement (1991)] (Internation at Atomic Ene rgy Agency, Vienna, 1991)]. The plasma macroparameters evolution at th e R-compression is calculated by solving the gyroaveraged drift kineti c equation. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.