Kinetic theory of Alfven waves in plasmas with force-free currents

Equations are derived for the kinetic-theory analysis of small amplitude Alfven waves in cylindrical plasmas carrying force-free currents. The equations, which include ion Larmor-radius effects to second order, are applicable to reversed-field pinches as well as to tokamaks. Fourier mode amplitudes are derived for model antennas with radial current feeds, and a quantitative analysis is made of the antenna resistance and the wave density fields in a small tokamak during Alfven-wave heating. The effect of the plasma current on the wave thermal energy flux is discussed. (author)