Effect of radio frequency sideband coupling on dissipative low frequency electrostatic instabilities in mirror plasmas

Summary form only given, as follows. Externally driven radio frequency (RF) waves affect the low frequency plasma instabilities in mirror plasmas through either the generation of ponderomotive force or the direct coupling between plasma waves and RF waves. Here, the impact of RF-plasma sideband coupling on the stabilization of low frequency flute modes and drift waves in mirror plasmas are investigated. A dispersion relation for dissipative plasma instabilities in the presence of spatially uniform RF waves is derived based on fluid approach. The impact of RF waves and collisions on the characteristics of plasma instabilities is discussed in relation to the dispersion relation. Conditions for the RF stabilization of plasma instabilities are identified, and stable operation windows in which stable mirror plasma operation is possible, are suggested. Finally, comparison of the theory with recent HANBIT mirror plasma experiments is given.