Self-consistent study of the alpha-particle-driven toroidicity-induced Alfvén eigenmode

The interaction of high energy particles with an Alfvén eigenmode is investigated self-consistently by using a kinetic dispersion relation. All important poloidal mode numbers and their radial mode profiles as calculated with the nova−k code [C. Z. Cheng, Phys. Rep. 211, 1 (1992)] are included. A Hamiltonian guiding center code is used to simulate the alpha particle motion. The numerical simulations include particle orbit width, nonlinear particle dynamics, and the effects of the modes on the particles. Modification of the particle distribution leading to mode saturation is observed. Particle loss depends on the radial extent of the mode and the ratio of the alpha particle gyroradius to the minor radius.