title: Impact of frustrated singularities on magnetic island evolution.
abstract: The growth of magnetic islands is explored using the magnetohydrodynamic model in a simple slab system in which the value of the tearing mode stability parameter Delta' can be varied continuously. Unless the system is close to marginal stability reconnection is controlled by Sweet-Parker current layers, whose formation is a consequence of the inherent singular structure of magnetic island equilibria.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Jemella
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Shay
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Drake
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Rogers