Efficient ion heating in a steady-state helicon plasma source is observed w
ith two external loop antennae just above the ion cyclotron frequency. The
ion velocity space distribution is measured by laser induced fluorescence i
n an argon plasma. The measured bulk ion heating is highly anisotropic (the
perpendicular temperature increase is ten times the parallel temperature i
ncrease) even though the plasma is moderately collisional. Measurements of
the perturbed distribution function with laser induced fluorescence suggest
that an electrostatic ion cyclotron wave is launched. (C) 1999 American In
stitute of Physics. [S1070-664X(99)02212-0].