A theory for the formation of weak double layer

Minghua, Hong and Xianmin, Wang and Keyun, Tang (1999) A theory for the formation of weak double layer. Advances in Polar Science, 10 (2). pp. 111-116.

[img] PDF
Download (1MB)

Abstract

Solitary electrostatic waves with ion acoustic speed were frequently observed by satellites in the auroral acceleration region. In this paper, the nonlinear ion acoustic waves are studied in the plasma which is composed of warm electrons with the Boltzman distribution and cold ions of equal density. The characteristics of solitary-like structure in the ion acoustic frequency range are derived with the methods of reductive perturbation and phase plane analysis. The results show that nonlinear ion acoustic waves may develop to a symmetric solitary structure which is compressive and no net potential drop when dissipation does not exist, and in the case with dissipation it may evolve to compressive solitary-like structure with asymmetric shape, produce net potential drop and form weak double layer. The above theoretical results are consistent with observations.

Item Type: Article
Related URLs:
    Keywords: solitary electrostatic wave, ion acoustic wave, weak double layer, auroral region.
    Subjects: Unspecified
    Organizations: Unspecified
    Date Deposited: 26 Apr 2023 15:06
    URI: http://library.arcticportal.org/id/eprint/2182

    Actions (login required)

    View Item View Item