Analytical theory of nonlinear drift-tearing mode stability

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Abstract
An analytical theory of the nonlinear stability of drift‐tearing modes in the semicollisional regime is presented. It is shown that the overall stability depends critically on the initial island width and the plasma beta. Linear and quasilinear treatments demonstrate that islands smaller than the linear tearing layer are stabilized completely by the influence of the electron temperature gradient. A nonlinear theory is developed for larger islands. Standard algebraic growth is obtained unless diamagnetic effects are strong, in which case the time‐asymptotic stability is dependent on the density and temperature profiles.