Stochastic plasma heating by regular electromagnetic fields in a circular waveguide

The dynamics of charged particles in the field of H-waves of a circular wav eguide in the presence of a uniform magnetic field is considered. The equat ions of motion of a particle in the wave field under cyclotron resonance co nditions are derived, and the width of resonances is found. The conditions for the resonant interaction between charged particles and the wave are det ermined. The motion of particles in a standing-wave field (in a resonator) is studied. It is shown that, when several waveguide modes are excited, reg imes can occur in which the particle motion becomes stochastic. These regim es are characterized by efficient plasma heating. The results obtained are of interest for plasma heating and can be used in designing charged-particl e accelerators and microwave oscillators.