Large amplitude ion holes

Abstract

Earlier work [Phys. Fluids 25, 277 (1982); Phys. Fluids 26, 2460 (1983)] on the structure and growth of phase space density holes for ψ=−qiφ/Ti<1 is extended to ψ>1. As in the ψ<1 case, it is found that reflecting electrons cause the ion holes to decelerate and grow, although the details are quite different. The reflected electrons cause the formation of a so-called ‘‘double layer.’’ It is shown that isolated (intermittent) ion holes or wave packets can grow to much larger amplitudes than that predicted by the conventional quasilinear plateau limitation or Manheimer’s [Phys. Fluids 14, 579 (1971)] trapping criteria.