ECRH in the Levitated Dipole Experiment

In the initial phases of the Levitated Dipole Experiment (LDX), multiple frequency ECRH (with frequencies between 2.45 and 28 GHz) will be used to produce a population of energetic electrons at high-{beta}. Use of multiple frequency ECRH in mirror experiments have shown a reduction in plasma turbulence and increased heating efficiency. The pressure profile will be controlled by adjusting the relative power of the ECRH sources. The effect of the pressure profile on plasma stability and confinement is a principal area of study for the LDX experiment. Other concerns for the use of ECRH within LDX, such as formation and control of convective cells and heating of overdense thermal plasmas are also discussed. (c) 1999 American Institute of Physics.