NONLINEAR M=1 MODE AND FAST RECONNECTION IN COLLISIONAL PLASMAS

Time evolution of the m = 1 resistive kink mode is shown to be compris ed of two exponential growth phases separated by a transition period d uring which the growth becomes temporarily algebraic. A modified Sweet -Parker model that takes into account some of the changes in the geome try of the core plasma and the growing island is offered to explain th e departure from the algebraic growth of the early nonlinear phase.