A kinetic theory for magnetic islands in a low collision frequency tokamak plasma is presented. Self-consistent equations for the islands’ width, w , and propagation frequency, w , are derived. These include contributions from the perturbed bootstrap current and the toroidally enhanced ion polarization drift. The bootstrap current is independent of the island propagation frequency and provides a drive for the island in tokamak plasmas when the pressure decreases with an increasing safety factor. The polarization drift is frequency dependent, and therefore its effect on the island stability cannot be deduced unless w is known.
