On the speed and shape of electron acoustic solitary waves

Abstract

Electron acoustic solitary waves in a collisionless plasma consisting of a cold electron fluid and non-thermal hot electrons are investigated by a direct analysis of the field equations. The Sagdeev potential is obtained in terms of electron acoustic speed by simply solving an algebraic equation. It is found that the amplitude and width of the electron acoustic solitary waves as well as the parametric regime where the solitons can exist are very sensitive to the population of energetic non-thermal hot electrons. The soliton and double layer solutions are obtained as a small-amplitude approximation. The effect of non-thermal hot electrons is found to significantly change the properties of the electron acoustic solitary waves (EAWs). A comparison with the Viking Satellite observations in the day side auroral zone is also discussed.