Potential hill electron-acoustic solitons and double layers in plasmas with two electron species

Journal Article · Fri Apr 15 04:00:00 EDT 2005 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1868733· OSTI ID:20736521

Cattaert, Tom; Verheest, Frank; Hellberg, Manfred A ^[1]

---

1. Sterrenkundig Observatorium, Universiteit Gent, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000 Gent (Belgium)

In the description of (high-frequency) electron-acoustic solitons in a plasma consisting of positive ions, cool electrons, and hot electrons, the dynamics of the ions plays no essential role and can be eliminated from the treatment, the ions merely providing a constant positive background. It is widely believed that in such a plasma only potential dip solitary waves can be generated. In a potential dip the cooler electrons are compressed and the hotter electrons rarefied, both being driven towards their sonic points, the cooler ones from above, the hotter ones from below. This transonic feature gives rise to the solitary wave. However, it is shown that the restriction to potential dip solitons is due to the neglect of the inertia of the hot electrons, implicitly or explicitly assumed by most authors. If hot electron inertia is retained, there exists a parameter range where potential hill solitary waves are formed, with both electron species being driven away from their sonic points. This has important consequences for the reinterpretation of several astrophysical phenomena involving two-electron plasmas.

• OSTI ID: 20736521
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 12; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CATIONS
ELECTRONS
ION ACOUSTIC WAVES
PLASMA
PLASMA SHEATH
SOLITONS