Stability of ∇T_e-Driven Microscopic Drift-Tearing Mode

Abstract

Stability of the kinetic drift-tearing mode with a short wave length is investigated employing an energy-dependent electron-ion collision model. The electron temperature gradient can destabilize the mode in the range of the collisionality 1\lesssimν⁄ω_*\lesssim20 (ν: collision frequency, ω_*: drift frequency). This instability appears in a parameter range of intermediate β-values, and the mode is stabilized by the magnetic shear when β-value becomes O(1%) (β: plasma pressure/magnetic pressure).