Electron-cyclotron damping of helicon waves in low diverging magnetic fields

Abstract

Particle-in-cell simulations are performed to investigate wave propagation and absorption behavior of low-field (B0 >5 mT) helicon waves in the presence of a diverging magnetic field. The 1D electromagnetic simulations, which include experimental external magnetic field profiles, provide strong evidence for electron-cyclotron damping of helicon waves in the spatially decaying nonuniform magnetic field. For a dipole-type magnetic field configuration, the helicon waves are absence in the downstream (lower field) region of the plasma and are observed to be completely absorbed. As the magnetic field is changed slightly however, wave damping decreases, and waves are able to propagate freely downstream, confirming previous experimental measurements of this phenomenon. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.