Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 March 2009
Until now, a theoretical derivation to obtain an expression for the logarithmic derivative Δ(Q) of the ‘inner’ or resistivity region has not been attempted for the resistive tearing instability where ‘parallel’ viscosity has been included, although similar derivations have been done using ‘perpendicular’ viscosity type terms. Such a derivation is presented in this paper, along with a numerical procedure for evaluating Δ(Q). Numerical results have been obtained for a hard-core pinch configuration. The resultant graphs show branch-point behaviour that suggests inter alia stabilization due to ‘parallel’ viscosity at high temperature.