Low frequency response of a resistive plasma to axially independent or axisymmetric perturbations

A formalism is described which permits calculation of the low frequency response of a resistive plasma with non-circular cross-section in magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium to an externally imposed current field in the direction of the ignorable co-ordinate. This formalism is limited to slow variations on the resistive penetration or ‘skin’ time-scale and eliminates rapid motions at the hydrodynamic rate. It is useful for calculating the effectiveness of low frequency Ohmic heating and for the study of feedback stabilization. It also determines stability criteria and gives estimates of growth rates. The presence of a hyperbolic axis in the Doublet configuration makes the incorporation of a finite resistivity in the treatment important.