Modulation of electron-acoustic waves in a plasma with kappa distribution

Abstract

In the present work, employing a one dimensional model of an unmagnetized collisionless plasma consisting of a cold electron fluid, hot electrons obeying κ velocity distribution, and stationary ions, we study the amplitude modulation of an electron-acoustic waves by use of the conventional reductive perturbation method. Employing the field equations of such a plasma, we obtained the nonlinear Schrödinger equation as the evolution equation. Seeking a harmonic wave solution with progressive wave amplitude to the evolution equation, as opposed to the plasma with vortex distribution, the amplitude wave assumes a shock wave type of solution. Finally, the modulational stability of the wave is studied and it is observed that the wave is modulationally stable for all admissible wave numbers.