Arbitrary amplitude kinetic Alfven solitary waves and double layers in a non-Maxwellian plasma

Journal Article · Mon Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 2010 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3506820· OSTI ID:21531966

Gogoi, Runmoni; Khan, Manoranjan ^[1]

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1. Department of Instrumentation Science and Centre for Plasma Studies, Jadavpur University, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032 (India)

To investigate the existence of kinetic Alfven wave solitons, warm adiabatic ions and kappa distributed electrons are considered in a magnetized plasma. The kappa distribution (having the spectral index {kappa}) is a velocity distribution that has a high energy tail but approaches the Maxwellian when {kappa}{yields}{infinity}. In this work, by using the Sagdeev pseudopotential method, an exact analytical expression for arbitrary amplitude solitary kinetic Alfven wave is derived. For different sets of plasma parameter values, the Sagdeev potential {Psi} ({phi}) has been calculated numerically. It is found that the spectral index {kappa} plays a significant role in determining the shape and size of the solitary waves and double layers. Also, it is observed that both compressive solitary waves and double layers exist depending on the values of different plasma parameters.

• OSTI ID: 21531966
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 17; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ALFVEN WAVES
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
PLASMA
PLASMA SHEATH
QUASI PARTICLES
SOLITONS