Electron cyclotron resonance heating in a pulsed mirror experiment

Using a plasma, generated by contact ionization, in a pulsed mirror device, a microwave pulse is used for electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH). The average electron energy was found by measuring the X-ray bremsstrahlung spectrum from the plasma after peak compression, and the energy obtained was measured as a function of applied electric field. The results show a saturation of heating in agreement with the theory of ECRH of Lieberman and Lichtenberg (1973). Computer calculations of the average electron energy and the energy distribution were in good agreement with the experimental data.