Abstract
The use of auxiliary power to heat the electrons in a mirror reactor is considered. In this manner the electron temperature is raised so that the ion cooling rate is reduced and the ion confinement is improved. The power required to raise the electron temperature is estimated using the charged particle power balance equation. The merit of this scheme is shown to depend on the efficiency for heating the electrons, as well as the ion injection energy. It is shown to be beneficial for ion injection energies <100 keV, provided the efficiency for heating the electrons is greater than the ion injection efficiency.