Modulated envelope localized wavepackets associated with electrostatic plasma waves

Abstract

The nonlinear amplitude modulation of known electrostatic plasma modes is examined in a generic manner, by applying a collisionless fluid model. Both cold (zero-temperature) and warm fluid descriptions are discussed and the results are compared. The moderately nonlinear oscillation regime is investigated by applying a multiple scale technique. The calculation leads to a Nonlinear Schrodinger-type Equation (NLSE), which describes the evolution of the slowly varying wave amplitude in time and space. The NLSE admits localized envelope (solitary wave) solutions of bright- (pulses) or dark- (holes, voids) type, whose characteristics (maximum amplitude, width) depend on intrinsic plasma parameters. Effects like amplitude perturbation obliqueness, finite temperature and defect (dust) concetration are explicitly considered. The relevance with similar highly localized modulated wave structures observed during recent satellite missions is discussed.