Large-amplitude solitary waves in nonlinear collisionless plasmas
- Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (United States)
The evolution of a collisionless plasma is well described by the nonlinear Vlasov-Poisson equations where f{sub {alpha}} (x, u, t) is the distribution function for species {alpha}, {alpha} = 1,2,...,N, and {var_theta}(x, t) is the self-consistent electric potential. Spatially homogenous plasma equilibria are characterized by f{sub {alpha}} = F{sub {alpha}} (u) that yield zero charge density through Eq. (2). A new theoretical perspective on near-equilibrium plasma states has been developed recently because exact small-amplitude nonlinear periodic and solitary wave solutions, which can exist near many plasma equilibria, have been obtained. We enhance this perspective here by establishing the existence of related large-amplitude solitary (and periodic) waves. These new solutions are important because they provide a mechanism for the transport of energetic particles through background plasmas that occur both in the laboratory and in nature.
- OSTI ID:
- 411640
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-951006--
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Vol. 73; ISSN 0003-018X; ISSN TANSAO
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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