Observing Stochastic Ion Heating In a Linear Plasma Device

Ions in a plasma usually pertain into two velocity regimes: thermal and fast ions. Thermal ions go through classical diffusion and have a Maxwellian velocity distribution whereas fast ions are non-Maxwellian and have greater velocities. When EM waves that resonate with the compressional Alfven Eigenmodes (CAE) are introduced into a plasma, thermal ions can gain energy from the waves through stochastic ion heating. This nonlinear heating mechanism has been observed within Tokomak experiments and in plasmas contained in solar winds. With an antenna on the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) at UCLA, we may observe stochastic ion heating with a Fast Ion Energy analyzer. The expected distribution model and diagnostics will be simulated first using a Boris-particle pusher algorithm. By observing SIH in LAPD we hope to better understand the wave instability for the purpose of fusion research.