Nonlinear Weibel-type soliton modes

• Published in: Journal of physics. A, Mathematical and theoretical Vol. 44; no. 4; pp. 045501 - 18
• Main Authors: Tautz, R C, Lerche, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 28.01.2011; IOP
• Subjects: Distribution functions; Electrostatics; Exact sciences and technology; Mathematical models; Nonlinear equations; Nonlinearity; Physics; Plasma (physics); Relativistic plasmas; Solitons; Spatial soliton; Relativistic plasma; Functionals; Numerical solution; Particle distribution; Electromagnetic potential; Electrostatic potential
• ISSN: 1751-8121; 1751-8113; 1751-8121
• DOI: 10.1088/1751-8113/44/4/045501

A discussion of nonlinear soliton behavior is given, including coupling between electrostatic and electromagnetic potentials for non-relativistic, weakly relativistic, and fully relativistic plasmas. For plasma distribution functions that are independent of the canonical momenta perpendicular to the soliton spatial structure direction there are, in fact, no soliton behaviors allowed because transverse currents are zero. Dependence on the transverse canonical momenta is necessary. When this is the case, it is shown that the presence or absence of a soliton is intimately connected to the functional form assumed for the particle distribution functions. Except for simple situations, the coupled nonlinear equations for the electrostatic and electromagnetic potentials would seem to require numerical solution procedures. Examples are given to illustrate all of these points for non-relativistic, weakly relativistic, and fully relativistic plasmas.