Equilibrium and stability with m=0 magnetic islands

Axially symmetric m = 0 magnetic islands are studied in a cylindrical plasma with longitudinal magnetic field reversal. Applying 2D deformation on the equilibrium plasma boundary results in the breaking of magnetic surfaces topology into chain of islands. Axially symmetric equilibrium with islands are described by the Grad-Shafranov equation for the longitudinal flux function with a periodicity condition in z.