Ion-acoustic periodic waves in a nonthermal dusty plasma

Abstract

The propagation properties of ion acoustic nonlinear periodic waves is studied in unmagnetized collisionless plasma consisting of fluid ions, immobile negatively charged dust particulates and nonthermal electrons. By employing reductive perturbation technique (RPT), the nonlinear Korteweg-de Vries equation is derived. Further, energy balance equation is derived by applying the Sagdeev potential approach, which gives the solutions having cnoidal ellipitical functions. The combined effects of dust concentration and nonthermality of electrons on the propagation properties of periodic wave structures, have been discussed in detail. Both compressive and rarefactive cnoidal wave structures are formed. It is observed that nonthermality of electrons significantly influence the structures of periodic waves. The present investigation could be useful in space and astrophysical plasma environments.