Stochastic acceleration by an obliquely propagating wave-An example of overlapping resonances

A simple problem exhibiting intrinsic stochasticity is treated: the motion of a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field and a single plane wave. Detailed studies of this wave-particle interaction show the following features. An electrostatic wave propagating obliquely to the magnetic field causes stochastic motion if the wave amplitude exceeds a certain threshold. The overlap of cyclotron resonances then destroys a constant of the motion, allowing appreciable momentum transfer to the particles. A wave of large enough amplitude would thus suffer severe damping and lead to rapid heating of a particle distribution. The stochastic motion resembles a diffusion process even though the wave spectrum is monochromatic. The methods of this paper should be useful for other problems showing stochasticity such as superadiabaticity in mirror machines, destruction of magnetic surfaces in toroidal systems, and lower hybrid heating.