The Effect of Anomalous Resistivity on Tearing Instability

Abstract

We study the modification of classical tearing instability due to anomalous resistivity by incorporating a variable, second-order resistivity model into the resistive magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) framework. We evaluate the resulting {weakly non-linear boundary-layer scaling laws under a localized current-feedback mechanism}. By extending the {inner-layer analysis to capture localized current feedback}, we resolve localized spatial singularities ($\delta$ and ${\delta }^{\prime }$) at the threshold boundary. These singularities generate unexpected matching jump conditions, demonstrating an early-stage phase-slip layer that forces a hyperbolic, time-dependent growth rate divergence prior to macroscopic saturation. Physical estimates for fusion devices and solar flares prove that this {consistent weakly non-linear matching formulation} triggers an abrupt transition into the explosive reconnection regime, offering an exact analytical resolution to the long-standing solar and tokamak flare/disruption ``trigger problem,'' respectively. Finally, a comparative analysis using a truncated linear expansion of the threshold model regularizes the singular behavior, confirming that the explosive finite-time singularity is uniquely driven by the higher-order non-linear current feedback.

submitted for publication, typos corrected, improvements made