Very efficient plasma generation by whistler waves near the lower hybrid frequency

Experimental results are presented which show that r.f. power at frequencies near the lower hybrid frequency couples resonantly into a standing whistler wave. For an input power flux of less than 5 W cm -2 densities above 10 12 cm -3 with close to 100% ionization have been achieved. Measured density, temperatures and wave fields are presented and are used as input parameters for a theoretical model.