Numerical simulation of lower hybrid resonance heating of a two-dimensional magnetized plasma

The response of a two-dimensional magnetized plasma to excitation by an external field at the lower hybrid frequency is examined by numerical simulation. The ions are magnetized; the electrons are guiding center. It is concluded that (1) the heating is not collisional, (2) heating is greatest for (k/sub perpendicular/rho/sub ci/)2 approximately equal to 1, (3) heating is improved for frequencies slightly above the hybrid frequency, (4) and for ω/sub ci//ω/sub pi/ greater than 1, and (5) the heating is caused by excitation of a normal mode which leads to mode coupling and subsequent trapping of the ions. The results concur with those of Raimbault and Shohet