Heating and background plasma modification associated with large amplitude kinetic Alfv\'{e}n wave launch in LAPD

Large amplitude kinetic Alfv\'{e}n waves ($\delta B/B \sim 1\% > k_\parallel/k_\perp$) are generated in the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) at UCLA using loop antennas. Substantial electron heating is observed, localized to the wave current channels. The Poynting flux associated with the Alfv\'{e}n waves is substantial and the observed heating may be at least in part due to collisional and Landau damping of these waves. However, heating by antenna near inductive electric fields may also be responsible for the observations. A discussion of both possibilities will be presented, including measurements of near fields of the antenna. The heating structures the background plasma and results in the excitation of drift-Alfv\'{e}n waves. These drift waves then interact with the incident Alfv\'{e}n wave, causing sideband generation which results in a nearly broadband state at high wave power. This process may represent an alternate mechanism by which unidirectional kinetic Alfv\'{e}n waves can nonlinearly generate a turbulent spectrum. In addition to electron heating, evidence for background density modification and electron acceleration is observed and will be presented.