Nonlinear Schrodinger equation for a two-dimensional plasma: the analysis of solitons, breathers, and plane wave stability

Abstract

We analytically study nonlinear quasi-monochromatic plasma waves in a two-dimensional electron system set between the two metal electrodes (gates). We derive a nonlinear Schrodinger equation for a slow-varying envelope to describe the waves. We find it to be of either focusing or defocusing type depending on the parameter qd, where q is the carrier wave vector and d is the distance between the 2DES and the gates. When qd<1.61, we have the defocusing-type equation with the solutions in the form of dark plasma solitons appearing against the background of the stable plane waves. Conversely, for qd>1.61, the focusing-type equation has the solutions in the form of bright solitons, and the plane waves are unstable. We also address the appearance of the simplest type of breathers in the latter case. A detailed description of the resultant nonlinear waves is given based on the parameters of the two-dimensional electron system.