Non-thermal Velocity Research Articles

Kinetic temperature of massive star forming molecular clumps measured with formaldehyde

For a general understanding of the physics involved in the star formation process, measurements of physical parameters such as temperature and density are indispensable. The chemical and physical properties of dense clumps of molecular clouds are strongly affected by the kinetic temperature. Therefore, this parameter is essential for a better understanding of the interstellar medium. Formaldehyde, a molecule which traces the entire dense molecular gas, appears to be the most reliable tracer to directly measure the gas kinetic temperature.We aim to determine the kinetic temperature with spectral lines from formaldehyde and to compare the results with those obtained from ammonia lines for a large number of massive clumps.Three 218 GHz transitions (JKAKC=303-202, 322-221, and 321-220) of para-H2CO were observed with the 15m James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) toward 30 massive clumps of the Galactic disk at various stages of high-mass star formation. Using the RADEX non-LTE model, we derive the gas kinetic temperature modeling the measured para-H2CO 322-221/303-202and 321-220/303-202 ratios. The gas kinetic temperatures derived from the para-H2CO (321-220/303-202) line ratios range from 30 to 61 K with an average of 46 K. A comparison of kinetic temperature derived from para-H2CO, NH3, and the dust emission indicates that in many cases para-H2CO traces a similar kinetic temperature to the NH3 (2,2)/(1,1) transitions and the dust associated with the HII regions. Distinctly higher temperatures are probed by para-H2CO in the clumps associated with outflows/shocks. Kinetic temperatures obtained from para-H2CO trace turbulence to a higher degree than NH3 (2,2)/(1,1) in the massive clumps. The non-thermal velocity dispersions of para-H2CO lines are positively correlated with the gas kinetic temperature. The massive clumps are significantly influenced by supersonic non-thermal motions.

Hotspot electron temperature from x-ray continuum measurements on the NIF.

We report on measurements of the electron temperature in the hotspot of inertially confined, layered, spherical implosions on the National Ignition Facility using a differential filtering diagnostic. Measurements of the DT and DD ion temperatures using neutron time-of-flight detectors are complicated by the contribution of hot spot motion to the peak width, which produce an apparent temperature higher than the thermal temperature. The electron temperature is not sensitive to this non-thermal velocity and is thus a valuable input to interpreting the stagnated hot spot conditions. Here we show that the current differential filtering diagnostic provides insufficient temperature resolution for the hot spot temperatures of interest. We then propose a new differential filter configuration utilizing larger pinhole size to increase spectral fluence, as well as thicker filtration. This new configuration will improve measurement uncertainty by more than a factor of three, allowing for a more accurate hotspot temperature.

Spectroscopy at the Solar Limb: II. Are Spicules Heated to Coronal Temperatures?

Spicules of the so-called type II were suggested to be relevant for coronal heating because of their ubiquity on the solar surface and their eventual extension into the corona. We investigate whether solar spicules are heated to transition-region or coronal temperatures and reach coronal heights (>6 Mm) using multi-wavelength observations of limb spicules in different chromospheric spectral lines (Ca II H, Hepsilon, Halpha, Ca II IR at 854.2 nm, He I at 1083 nm). We determine the line width of individual spicules and throughout the field of view and estimate the maximal height that different types of off-limb features reach. We derive estimates of the kinetic temperature and the non-thermal velocity from the line width of spectral lines from different chemical elements. We find that most regular spicules reach a maximal height of about 6 Mm above the solar limb. The majority of features found at larger heights are irregularly shaped with a significantly larger lateral extension than spicules. Both individual and average line profiles in all spectral lines show a decrease in their line width with height above the limb with very few exceptions. Both the kinetic temperature and the non-thermal velocity decrease with height above the limb. We find no indications that the spicules in our data reach coronal heights or transition-region or coronal temperatures.

HIGH SPATIAL RESOLUTION Fe xii OBSERVATIONS OF SOLAR ACTIVE REGIONS

ABSTRACT We use UV spectral observations of active regions with the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) to investigate the properties of the coronal Fe xii 1349.4 Å emission at unprecedented high spatial resolution (∼0.33″). We find that by using appropriate observational strategies (i.e., long exposures, lossless compression), Fe xii emission can be studied with IRIS at high spatial and spectral resolution, at least for high-density plasma (e.g., post-flare loops and active region moss). We find that upper transition region (TR; moss) Fe xii emission shows very small average Doppler redshifts ( ∼ 3 km s−1) as well as modest non-thermal velocities (with an average of ∼24 km s−1 and the peak of the distribution at ∼15 km s−1). The observed distribution of Doppler shifts appears to be compatible with advanced three-dimensional radiative MHD simulations in which impulsive heating is concentrated at the TR footpoints of a hot corona. While the non-thermal broadening of Fe xii 1349.4 Å peaks at similar values as lower resolution simultaneous Hinode Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) measurements of Fe xii 195 Å, IRIS observations show a previously undetected tail of increased non-thermal broadening that might be suggestive of the presence of subarcsecond heating events. We find that IRIS and EIS non-thermal line broadening measurements are affected by instrumental effects that can only be removed through careful analysis. Our results also reveal an unexplained discrepancy between observed 195.1/1349.4 Å Fe xii intensity ratios and those predicted by the CHIANTI atomic database.

GRAVITATIONAL CONTRACTION VERSUS SUPERNOVA DRIVING AND THE ORIGIN OF THE VELOCITY DISPERSION–SIZE RELATION IN MOLECULAR CLOUDS

Molecular cloud observations show that clouds have non-thermal velocity dispersions that scale with the cloud size as $\sigma\propto R^{1/2}$ at constant surface density, and for varying surface density scale with both the cloud`s size and surface density, $\sigma^2 \propto R \Sigma$. The energy source driving these chaotic motions remains poorly understood. We describe the velocity dispersions observed in a cloud population formed in a kiloparsec-scale numerical simulation of a magnetized, supernova-driven, self-gravitating, interstellar medium, including diffuse heating and radiative cooling. We compare the relationships between velocity dispersion, size, and surface density measured in the simulated cloud population to those found in observations of Galactic molecular clouds. We find that external supernova explosions can not drive turbulent motions of the observed magnitudes within dense clouds. On the other hand, self-gravity also induces non-thermal motions as gravitationally bound clouds begin to collapse in our model, and by doing so their internal velocity dispersions recover the observed relations. Energy conservation suggests that the observed behavior is consistent with the kinetic energy being proportional to the gravitational energy. However, the clouds in our model show no sign of reaching a stable equilibrium state at any time, even for strongly magnetized clouds. We conclude that gravitationally bound molecular clouds are always in a state of gravitational collapse and their properties are a natural result of this chaotic collapse. In order to agree with observed star formation efficiencies, this process must be terminated by the early destruction of the clouds, presumably from internal stellar feedback.

THE IONIZATION STRUCTURE OF SHARPLESS 2-264: MULTIWAVELENGTH OBSERVATIONS OF THE λ Ori H II REGION

ABSTRACT We present velocity-resolved maps taken with the Wisconsin H-Alpha Mapper (WHAM) in Hα, [S ii] λ 6716 , and [N ii] λ 6583 around the well-known O8 III star λ Ori A (HD 36861) ( ℓ = 185 ° to 205 ° , b = − 24 ° to − 1 ° ). The integrated intensity ( v LSR = − 80 to +80 km s−1), I H α , within WHAM’s one-degree beams varies from ∼190 R near the center to ∼10 R on the periphery of the nebula where it becomes comparable to foreground and/or background emission in this complex region. Intensity ratios for [N ii]/Hα and [S ii]/Hα average 0.28 and 0.35, respectively. In both ratios, higher values are found preferentially at larger radii from λ Ori, although the behavior of [N ii]/Hα is complicated near the edges of the nebula. The [S ii]/[N ii] intensity ratio ranges from ∼0.5 to ∼1.0, with the value increasing toward larger radii (and lower Hα intensities). Variations of the [S ii]/Hα, [N ii]/Hα, and [S ii]/[N ii] line ratios in this diffuse region show some similar trends to those seen in the warm ionized medium (WIM) but with generally lower metal-line ratios. As with the WIM, the trends are driven by changes in the underlying physical parameters, most notably the ionization states and gas temperature. To investigate which cause might be dominant in this region, we use these extremely high signal-to-noise observations to construct a map of temperature and non-thermal velocity throughout the nebula. Using the line widths of Hα and [S ii], we separate thermal and non-thermal components and find spatial trends of these parameters within the nebula. Ion temperatures range between 4000 and 8000 K throughout the nebula. The non-thermal velocity map reveals a decrease in velocity from about 10 to 5 km s−1 from the center to the edge of the lower half of the H ii region. In addition to using the widths as a measure of temperature, we also use the variation in [N ii]/Hα to estimate electron temperature. The results obtained from this diffuse H ii region around λ Ori can be compared to studies of the WIM to provide important insight into the nature of the diffuse ionized gas throughout the disk and halo of the Galaxy.

First evidence of non-Gaussian solar flare EUV spectral line profiles and accelerated non-thermal ion motion

The properties of solar flare plasma can be determined from the observation of optically thin lines. The emitting ion distribution determines the shape of the line, with an isothermal Maxwellian ion distribution producing a Gaussian profile. Non-Gaussian lines may indicate more complex ion distributions. We investigate the possibility of determining flare-accelerated non-thermal ion or plasma velocity distributions. We study EUV spectral lines during a flare SOL2013-05-15T01:45 using the Hinode EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS). The flare is located close to the eastern solar limb with an extended loop structure, allowing the different flare features: ribbons, hard X-ray (HXR) footpoints and the loop-top source to be clearly observed in UV, EUV and X-rays. EUV line spectroscopy is performed in seven different regions. We study the line profiles of isolated and unblended Fe XVI lines (262.976 A) formed at temperatures of 2-4 MK. Fe XVI line profiles at one time close to the peak soft X-ray emission and free of directed mass motions are examined using: 1. a higher moments analysis, 2. Gaussian fitting, and 3. by fitting a kappa distribution profile convolved with a Gaussian to account for the EIS instrumental profile. Fe XVI line profiles in the loop-top, HXR footpoint and ribbon regions can be confidently fitted with a kappa line profile, giving low, non-thermal kappa values between 2-3.3. A higher moments analysis also finds that many of the line kurtosis values are higher than the Gaussian value of 3, even with the presence of a broad Gaussian instrumental profile. A flare-accelerated non-thermal ion population could account for both the observed non-Gaussian line profiles, and for the Fe XVI excess broadening found from Gaussian fitting, if the emitting ions are interacting with a thermalised 4 MK electron population, and the instrumental profile is well-approximated by a Gaussian.

MEASUREMENTS OF NON-THERMAL LINE WIDTHS IN SOLAR ACTIVE REGIONS

ABSTRACT Spectral line widths are often observed to be larger than can be accounted for by thermal and instrumental broadening alone. This excess broadening is a key observational constraint for both nanoflare and wave dissipation models of coronal heating. Here we present a survey of non-thermal velocities measured in the high temperature loops (1–4 MK) often found in the cores of solar active regions. This survey of Hinode Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) observations covers 15 non-flaring active regions that span a wide range of solar conditions. We find relatively small non-thermal velocities, with a mean value of 17.6 ± 5.3 km s−1, and no significant trend with temperature or active region magnetic flux. These measurements appear to be inconsistent with those expected from reconnection jets in the corona, chromospheric evaporation induced by coronal nanoflares, and Alfvén wave turbulence models. Furthermore, because the observed non-thermal widths are generally small, such measurements are difficult and susceptible to systematic effects.

The spectroscopic imprint of the pre-eruptive configuration resulting into two major coronal mass ejections

We present a spectroscopic analysis of the pre-eruptive configuration of active region NOAA 11429, prior to two very fast coronal mass ejections (CMEs) on March 7, 2012 that are associated with this active region. We study the thermal components and the dynamics associated with the ejected flux ropes. Using differential emission measure (DEM) analysis of Hinode/EIS and SDO/AIA observations, we identify the emission components of both the flux rope and the host active region. We then follow the time evolution of the flux rope emission components by using AIA observations. The plasma density and the Doppler and non-thermal velocities associated with the flux ropes are also calculated from the EIS data. The eastern and western parts of the active region, in which the two different fast CMEs originated during two X-class flares, were studied separately. In both regions we identified an emission component in the temperature range of $\log T=6.8 - 7.1$ associated with the presence of flux ropes. The time evolution of the eastern region showed an increase in the mean DEM in this temperature range by an order of magnitude, 5 hours prior to the first CME. This was associated with a gradual rise and heating of the flux rope as manifested by blue-shifts and increased non-thermal velocities in \ion{Ca}{XV}~200.97\AA, respectively. An overall upward motion of the flux ropes was measured (relative blue-shifts of $\sim12$~\kms). The measured electron density was found to be $4\times 10^9 - 2 \times10^{10}$ cm$^{-3}$ (using the ratio of \ion{Ca}{XV}~181.90\AA\ over \ion{Ca}{XV}~200.97\AA). We compare our findings with other works on the same AR to provide a unified picture of its evolution.

MASS ASSEMBLY OF STELLAR SYSTEMS AND THEIR EVOLUTION WITH THE SMA (MASSES). MULTIPLICITY AND THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT IN L1448N

We present continuum and molecular line observations at 230 GHz and 345 GHz from the Sub-millimeter Array (SMA) toward three protostars in the Perseus L1448N region. The data are from the large project "Mass Assembly of Stellar Systems and their Evolution with the SMA" (MASSES). Three dust continuum sources, Source B, Source NW, and Source A, are detected at both frequencies. These sources have corresponding emission peaks in C18O (J=2-1), 13CO (J=2-1), and HCO+ (J=4-3), and have offsets with N2D+ (J=3-2) peaks. High angular resolution data from a complimentary continuum survey with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array show that Source B is associated with three 8 mm continuum objects, Source NW with two, and Source A remains single. These results suggest that multiplicity in L1448N exists at different spatial scales from a few thousand AU to < 100 AU. Velocity gradients in each source obtained from two-dimensional fits to the SMA C18O emission are found to be perpendicular to within 20 degrees of the outflow directions as revealed by 12CO (J=2-1). We have observed that Sources B and NW with multiplicity have higher densities than Source A without multiplicity. This suggests that thermal Jeans fragmentation can be relevant in the fragmentation process. However, we have not observed a difference in the ratio between rotational and gravitational energy between sources with and without multiplicity. We also have not observed a trend between non-thermal velocity dispersions and the level of fragmentation. Our study has provided the first direct and comprehensive comparison between multiplicity and core properties in low-mass protostars, although based on small number statistics.

Spectral Linewidth Variations in the Solar Chromosphere

The first observational data on the spectra of spicules in the D3 and Hα lines for different altitudes in the chromosphere during a period of time longer than the lifetime of a spicule have been obtained in Abastumani. These unique observations show that the half-widths of the spectral lines in the spicules decrease very little with altitude, while their brightness decreases exponentially. Nonthermal turbulent velocities are determined (at T ≈ 6000o K). The average value VT equals about 25 km/sec for Hα spicules with small (~1.2 A) half-widths and about 18 km/sec for D3 spicules with average half-width 0.6 A.

THE FORMATION OFIRISDIAGNOSTICS. VII. THE FORMATION OF THE O i 135.56 NM LINE IN THE SOLAR ATMOSPHERE

The O i 135.56 nm line is covered by NASA's Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) small explorer mission which studies how the solar atmosphere is energized. We study here the formation and diagnostic potential of this line by means of non-local thermodynamic equilibrium modeling employing both 1D semi-empirical and 3D radiation magnetohydrodynamic models. We study the basic formation mechanisms and derive a quintessential model atom that incorporates essential atomic physics for the formation of the O i 135.56 nm line. This atomic model has 16 levels and describes recombination cascades through highly excited levels by effective recombination rates. The ionization balance O i/O ii is set by the hydrogen ionization balance through charge exchange reactions. The emission in the O i 135.56 nm line is dominated by a recombination cascade and the line is optically thin. The Doppler shift of the maximum emission correlates strongly with the vertical velocity in its line forming region, which is typically located at 1.0–1.5 Mm height. The total intensity of the line emission is correlated with the square of the electron density. Since the O i 135.56 nm line is optically thin, the width of the emission line is a very good diagnostic of non-thermal velocities. We conclude that the O i 135.56 nm line is an excellent probe of the middle chromosphere, and compliments other powerful chromospheric diagnostics of IRIS such as the Mg ii h & k lines and the C ii lines around 133.5 nm.

Diagnostics of a Coronal Hole and the Adjacent Quiet Sun by The Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS)

A comparison between a Coronal Hole (CH) and the adjacent Quiet-Sun (QS) has been performed using spectroscopic diagnostics of Hinode/ the EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS). Coronal funnels play an important role in the formation and propagation of the nascent fast solar wind. Applying Gaussian fitting procedures to the observed line profiles, Doppler velocity, intensity, line width (FWHM) and electron density have been estimated over CH and adjacent QS region of a North Polar Coronal Hole (NPCH). The aim of this study is to identify the coronal funnels based on spectral signatures. Excess width regions (excess FWHM above a threshold level) have been identified in QS and CH. The plasma flow inversion (average red-shifts changing to blue-shifts at a specific height) in CH and excess width regions of QS take place at ~ 5.01$\times$10$^{5}$ K. Furthermore, high density concentration in excess width regions of QS provides an indication that these regions are the footprints of coronal funnels. We have also found that non-thermal velocities of CH are higher in comparison to QS confirming that the CHs are the source regions of fast solar wind. Doppler and non-thermal velocities as recorded by different temperature lines have been also compared with previously published results. As we go from lower to upper solar atmosphere, down-flows are dominated in lower atmosphere while coronal lines are dominated by up-flows with a maximum value of ~ 10-12 km s$^{-1}$ in QS. Non-thermal velocity increases first but after Log T$_{e}$ = 5.47 it decreases further in QS. This trend can be interpreted as a signature of the dissipation of Alfv\'en waves, while increasing trend as reported earlier may attribute to the signature of the growth of Alfv\'en waves at lower heights. Predominance of occurrence of nano-flares around O {\sc vi} formation temperature could also explain non-thermal velocity trend.

THE FORMATION OFIRISDIAGNOSTICS. VI. THE DIAGNOSTIC POTENTIAL OF THE C ii LINES AT 133.5 nm IN THE SOLAR ATMOSPHERE

We use 3D radiation magnetohydrodynamic models to investigate how the thermodynamic quantities in the simulation are encoded in observable quantities, thus exploring the diagnostic potential of the 133.5 nm lines. We find that the line core intensity is correlated with the temperature at the formation height but the correlation is rather weak, especially when the lines are strong. The line core Doppler shift is a good measure of the line-of-sight velocity at the formation height. The line width is both dependent on the width of the absorption profile (thermal and non-thermal width) and an opacity broadening factor of 1.2-4 due to the optically thick line formation with a larger broadening for double peak profiles. The 133.5 nm lines can be formed both higher and lower than the core of the Mg II k line depending on the amount of plasma in the 14-50 kK temperature range. More plasma in this temperature range gives a higher 133.5 nm formation height relative to the Mg II k line core. The synthetic line profiles have been compared with IRIS observations. The derived parameters from the simulated line profiles cover the parameter range seen in observations but on average the synthetic profiles are too narrow. We interpret this discrepancy as a combination of a lack of plasma at chromospheric temperatures in the simulation box and too small non-thermal velocities. The large differences in the distribution of properties between the synthetic profiles and the observed ones show that the 133.5 nm lines are powerful diagnostics of the upper chromosphere and lower transition region.

NONLINEAR DAMPING OF ALFVÉN WAVES IN THE SOLAR CORONA BELOW 1.5 SOLAR RADII

Nonthermal velocities measured in the solar corona imply a strong damping of upward-propagating low-frequency less than or similar to 0.01 Hz Alfven waves at heliocentric distances from 1.02 to 1.4 solar radii. We propose a vector Alfven wave decay as a feasible mechanism for the observed Alfven wave damping. Contrary to the extensively studied scalar decay, the vector decay does not depend on the wave frequency and can be efficient for low-frequency coronal Alfven waves. We show that the vector decay is much stronger than the scalar decay and can provide the observed damping of 0.01 Hz coronal Alfven waves with perpendicular wavelengths of similar to 10(4) km or less. Fully three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations are needed to capture this decay, whose growth rate is proportional to the vector product of interacting wave vectors.

Non-thermal line-broadening in solar prominences

We show that the line broadening in quiescent solar prominences is mainly due to non-thermal velocities. We have simultaneously observed a wide range of optically thin lines in quiescent prominences, selected for bright and narrow Mg\,b emission without line satellites from macro-shifts. We find a ratio of reduced widths of H-gamma and H-delta of 1.05 +-0.03 which can hardly be attributed to saturation, since both are optically thin for the prominences observed: tau(gamma)<0.3 ; tau(delta)<0.15. We confirm the ratio of reduced widths of He4772(triplet) and He5015(singlet of 1.1 +-0.05 at higher significance and detect a width ratio of Mgb2 and Mg4571 (both from the triplet system) of 1.3 +-0.1. The discrepant widths of lines from different atoms, and even from the same atom, cannot be represented by a unique pair [T_kin ; V_nth]. Values of T_kin deduced from observed line radiance using models, indicate low temperatures down to T_kin~5000K. Non-thermal velocities, related to different physical states of the respective emitting prominence region, seem to be the most important line broadening mechanism.

COOL TRANSITION REGION LOOPS OBSERVED BY THEINTERFACE REGION IMAGING SPECTROGRAPH

We report on the first Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) study of cool transition region loops. This class of loops has received little attention in the literature. A cluster of such loops was observed on the solar disk in active region NOAA11934, in the Si IV 1402.8 \AA\ spectral raster and 1400 \AA\ slit-jaw (SJ) images. We divide the loops into three groups and study their dynamics and interaction. The first group comprises relatively stable loops, with 382--626\,km cross-sections. Observed Doppler velocities are suggestive of siphon flows, gradually changing from -10 km/s at one end to 20 km/s at the other end of the loops. Nonthermal velocities from 15 to 25 km/s were determined. These physical properties suggest that these loops are impulsively heated by magnetic reconnection occurring at the blue-shifted footpoints where magnetic cancellation with a rate of $10^{15}$ Mx/s is found. The released magnetic energy is redistributed by the siphon flows. The second group corresponds to two footpoints rooted in mixed-magnetic-polarity regions, where magnetic cancellation occurred at a rate of $10^{15}$ Mx/s and line profiles with enhanced wings of up to 200 km/s were observed. These are suggestive of explosive-like events. The Doppler velocities combined with the SJ images suggest possible anti-parallel flows in finer loop strands. In the third group, interaction between two cool loop systems is observed. Evidence for magnetic reconnection between the two loop systems is reflected in the line profiles of explosive events, and a magnetic cancellation rate of $3\times10^{15}$ Mx/s observed in the corresponding area. The IRIS observations have thus opened a new window of opportunity for in-depth investigations of cool transition region loops. Further numerical experiments are crucial for understanding their physics and their role in the coronal heating processes.

WHAT DO IRIS OBSERVATIONS OF Mg II k TELL US ABOUT THE SOLAR PLAGE CHROMOSPHERE?

We analyze observations from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph of the Mg II k line, the Mg II UV subordinate lines, and the O I 135.6 nm line to better understand the solar plage chromosphere. We also make comparisons with observations from the Swedish 1 m Solar Telescope of the H{\alpha} line, the Ca II 8542 line, and Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly observations of the coronal 19.3 nm line. To understand the observed Mg II profiles, we compare these observations to the results of numerical experiments. The single-peaked or flat-topped Mg II k profiles found in plage imply a transition region at a high column mass and a hot and dense chromosphere of about 6500 K. This scenario is supported by the observed large-scale correlation between moss brightness and filled-in profiles with very little or absent self-reversal. The large wing width found in plage also implies a hot and dense chromosphere with a steep chromospheric temperature rise. The absence of emission in the Mg II subordinate lines constrain the chromospheric temperature and the height of the temperature rise while the width of the O I 135.6 nm line sets a limit to the non-thermal velocities to around 7 km/s.

General formulation for electrostatic solitons in multicomponent nonthermal plasmas

A general formulation is proposed for electrostatic solitons in multicomponent plasmas consisting of one cold species described by the fluid model and multiple hot components described by the kinetic equation. For hot species two types of generalized velocity distributions are adopted: the kappa function and the highly nonthermal distribution with two free parameters which incorporate the widely used nonthermal distribution proposed by Cairns et al (1995 Geophys. Res. Lett. 22 2709) as a special limit. The general expressions for the KdV equations and the Sagdeev potential, as well as the conditions for electrostatic solitons with positive or negative polarity, are derived, which may give rise to various solutions for acoustic solitons in multicomponent plasmas with generalized nonthermal velocity distributions.

Modulational instability of ion-acoustic waves in plasma with a q-nonextensive nonthermal electron velocity distribution

Modulation instability of ion-acoustic waves (IAWs) is investigated in a collisionless unmagnetized one dimensional plasma, containing positive ions and electrons following the mixed nonextensive nonthermal distribution [Tribeche et al., Phys. Rev. E 85, 037401 (2012)]. Using the reductive perturbation technique, a nonlinear Schrödinger equation which governs the modulation instability of the IAWs is obtained. Valid range of plasma parameters has been fixed and their effects on the modulational instability discussed in detail. We find that the plasma supports both bright and dark solutions. The valid domain for the wave number k where instabilities set in varies with both nonextensive parameter q as well as non thermal parameter α. Moreover, the analysis is extended for the rational solutions of IAWs in the instability regime. Present study is useful for the understanding of IAWs in the region where such mixed distribution may exist.