Computer Simulation and Analysis for the Spherical and Cylindrical Ion-Acoustic Solitons

Abstract

The behavior of the spherical and cylindrical ion-acoustic solitons are studied by the computer simulation using a fluid model as well as the theoretical analysis. The simulated results agree well with those obtained by approximately solving the modified Boussinesq equation.
A small residue of the high or low density is formed for the inward or outward propagation, respectively, after the spherical and cylindrical ion-acoustic solitons propagate. Moreover, the electron plasma and ion-acoustic waves are emitted from the solitons as they propagate inwards or outwards. The amplitude of the soliton such as the ion density does not grow infinitely for the finite ion temperature even when the soliton concentrates at the center. This is because the half width of the maximum amplitude is limitted by the ion Debye length.