On the approximations of the distribution function of fusion alpha particles

The solution of the drift-kinetic equation for fusion-born alpha particles is derived in the limit of dominant parallel streaming, and it is related to the usual slowing-down distribution function. The typical approximations of the fast tail of fusion-born alpha particles are briefly compared and discussed. In particular, approximating the distribution function of fast-alpha particles with an "equivalent" Maxwellian is inaccurate to describe absorption of radio-frequency waves in the ion-cyclotron range of frequencies. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.