IDEAL MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC STABILITY IN THE PRESENCE OF A RESISTIVE WALL

Using the Galerkin method, the equations governing the linear stabilit y of an ideal plasma in the presence of a thin resistive wall is reduc ed to a standard matrix eigenvalue, problem. This can be used to compu te the entire spectrum of normal modes. Stability is shown to be gover ned by an energy principle. As an application, the Galerkin formulatio n is used to study the stability of an elliptical cross-section straig ht tokamak, surrounded by a thin resistive;wall, to rigid vertical dis placements. The Galerkin formulation is also generalized to include eq uilibrium mass flow of the plasma and allow for arbitrary thickness of the resistive wall. Stability is again shown to be governed by an ene rgy principle. (C) 1995 American Institute of Physics.