THE EFFECT OF RESISTIVITY ON THE FORMATION OF PROMINENCE FINE-SCALE STRUCTURE

The normal mode spectrum for the linearized MHD equations is investiga ted for a simple cylindrical equilibrium. This spectrum is examined fo r zero and non-zero scalar resistivity. Particular attention is paid t o the thermal sub-spectrum. It is shown that when resistivity is inclu ded, a 'dissipative' layer forms at the location of the singularity as sociated with the thermal continuum. For the most unstable 'quasi-cont inuum modes', the thickness of this dissipative layer is proportional to the 1/4 power of the magnetic Reynolds number. This generates lengt h scales that are of the same order of magnitude as those reported for the fine-scale structure seen in prominences. It is therefore conclud ed that dissipation due to resistivity may be relevant for the formati on of prominence fine-scale structure.