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.
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Kleva et al. (1985) studied this question.
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