Velocity gradient driven flute instabilities in plasmas

The effect of velocity gradient across the magnetic field on the low frequency flute modes is examined in detail, using the normal mode analysis. It is shown that some new type of instabilities driven primarily by the velocitygradient arise and these excited modes eventually attain the convective saturation. The onset of plasma turbulence due to these instabilities may possibly be one of the major contributors for anomalous heating process and enhanced plasma resistivity.