Low frequency stability theory of axisymmetric toroidal plasmas. II. Shear stabilisation of the flute instability

For Pt.I, see ibid., vol.17, 97, (1974). The shear required to stabilise the electrostatic flute instability is calculated for a general low beta , axisymmetric, toroidal magnetic field geometry. It is found that previous calculations under-estimated the necessary shear. New destabilising effects, which are associated with the geodesic curvature occur for flute modes with frequencies in the intermediate range (i.e. between electron and ion bounce frequencies).