The gyrokinetic dispersion relation of microtearing modes in collisionless toroidal plasmas

Abstract

We solve the linearized gyrokinetic equation, quasineutrality condition, and Ampere's law to obtain the dispersion relation of microtearing modes (MTMs) in collisionless low-beta toroidal plasmas. Consistent with past studies, we find that MTMs are driven unstable by the electron temperature gradient and that this instability drive is mediated by magnetic drifts. The dispersion relation that we derive can be evaluated numerically very quickly and may prove useful for devising strategies to mitigate MTM instability in fusion devices.