Ion-Acoustic Shock Waves in Nonextensive Multi-Ion Plasmas

Abstract

The nonlinear propagation of ion-acoustic (IA) shock waves (SHWs) in a nonextensive multi-ion plasma system (consisting of inertial positive light ions as well as negative heavy ions, noninertial nonextensive electrons and positrons) has been studied. The reductive perturbation technique has been employed to derive the Burgers equation. The basic properties (polarity, amplitude, width, etc.) of the IA SHWs are found to be significantly modified by the effects of nonextensivity of electrons and positrons, ion kinematic viscosity, temperature ratio of electrons and positrons, etc. It has been observed that SHWs with positive and negative potential are formed depending on the plasma parameters. The findings of our results obtained from this theoretical investigation may be useful in understanding the characteristics of IA SHWs both in laboratory and space plasmas.