Modulational instability of ion-acoustic waves in a plasma with negative ions

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.48.4642· OSTI ID:5633626

Mishra, M K; Chhabra, R S; Sharma, S R ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur 302004 (India)

A nonlinear Schroedinger equation that governs the nonlinear interaction of a quasistatic plasma slow response with ion-acoustic waves for a warm-ion, hot-electron plasma composed of positive ions, electrons, and negative ions is derived. It is found that the negative-ion species render these waves unstable in a wave-number ([ital k]) range that is perfectly stable in the absence of negative-ion species. It is also found that for a given value of negative-ion concentration [alpha], such that 0[lt][alpha][lt][alpha][sub [ital c]], there exists an upper bound on [ital k], i.e., [ital k][sub [ital c][ital h]], below which the waves would be modulationally unstable. However, when [alpha][gt][alpha][sub [ital c]], there exists a lower bound on [ital k], [ital k][sub [ital c][ital l]], above which the waves are modulationally unstable. The variation of the wave-number range over which the ion-acoustic wave is unstable with the negative-ion concentration, charge-multiplicity ratio, and relative mass of the two ion species is discussed. The predictions of the theory are found to be in substantial agreement with experimental observations of modulational instability.

• OSTI ID: 5633626
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States) Vol. 48:6; ISSN PLEEE8; ISSN 1063-651X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANIONS
CATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EQUATIONS
FERMIONS
HOT PLASMA
ION ACOUSTIC WAVES
ION DENSITY
ION WAVES
IONOSPHERE
IONS
LEPTONS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA
PLASMA WAVES
SCHROEDINGER EQUATION
WAVE EQUATIONS