Published August 1985 | Version v1
Journal article

Coherent nonlinear destabilization of tearing modes: The effect of the mass flow

  • 1. Laboratory for Plasma and Fusion Energy Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742

Description

Three-dimensional tearing modes are shown to be linearly unstable in a helical equilibrium containing large-amplitude q = 2 magnetic islands and their associated plasma flow. The source of the instability is a steep current gradient which is formed at the inner separatrix of the q = 2 islands as they evolve. The coherent flow associated with the q = 2 islands has a strong influence on the growth of the three-dimensional modes. In particular, this flow can dominate the resistivity in the linear stability analysis of these modes

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Phys. Fluids
Journal Volume
28
Journal Issue
8
Series
Phys. Fluids.
Journal Page Range
2478-2483
ISSN
0031-9171
CODEN
PFLDA