Width-amplitude relation of Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal solitary waves

Abstract

Inequality width-amplitude relations for three-dimensional Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal solitary waves are derived for magnetized plasmas. Criteria for neglecting effects of nonzero cyclotron radius are obtained. We emphasize that the form of the solitary potential is not tightly constrained, and the amplitude and widths of the potential are constrained by inequalities. The existence of a continuous range of allowed sizes and shapes for these waves makes them easily accessible. We propose that these solitary waves can be spontaneously generated in turbulence or thermal fluctuations. We expect that the high excitation probability of these waves should alter the bulk properties of the plasma medium such as electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity.