Kinetic Alfven wave propagation in cylindrical Tokamak

Propagation and absorption of kinetic shear Alfven wave, which is launched by a helical oscillating current sheet, are examined in a collisionless, current-carrying cylindrical plasma in sheared magnetic field. Kinetic effects, such as effects of the finite gyroradius, Landau resonance and collisionless resistivity, as well as finite- beta effects, density, temperature and current inhomogeneity effects are included. The authors find that the propagating shear Alfven wave excites drift wave around the resonant layer, and the wave is absorbed through Landau resonance. The propagation is strongly affected by the magnetic shear, and the spatial distribution of the absorbed power is determined by the kinetic effects near the resonance layer. The calculated coupling coefficient to the antenna and heating efficiency are found to have strong dependence on locations of antenna and shell.