Nonlinear stabilization of flute instability by strong effect of finite Larmor radius and a conducting wall

The effect of a conducting boundary on flute instability of a plasma filament in a magnetic field taking into account a strong effect of a finite Larmor radius (FLR) of ions is studied. It is assumed that β<1. Evolution of the m=1 mode corresponding to filament shift as a whole is considered. An instability criterion in the linear approximation for a wide class of radial pressure profiles is determined. Instability stabilization at the nonlinear stage of its development under weak supercritical conditions is described. It is shown that the stabilizing boundary effect is related to occurrence of the gyroscopic force acting on the filament. 8 refs.; 1 fig