Interaction of electron acoustic waves in the presence of superthermal electrons in terrestrial magnetosphere

Abstract

We have investigated the propagation and interaction of nonlinear electron acoustic waves (EAWs) in a plasma comprising hot (superthermal) and cold electrons and immobile ions. We have derived the Korteweg-de Vries equation for EAWs in the small amplitude limit. Employing the Hirota's Direct method, we have investigated the multisoliton solutions for electron acoustic solitary waves (EASWs). It has been found that the system under consideration admits only rarefactive electrostatic solitary structures. As the observable data are available in terms of electric field rather than electric potential, therefore, we have discussed our results in terms of bipolar electric field structures. The numerical analysis has revealed that the ratio of hot to cold electrons and superthermality of hot electrons play a crucial role in changing the amplitude of EASWs. The interaction of the two solitons and its dependence on the choice of propagation vectors, superthermality, and density ratio have also been elaborated. The results of the present study may be beneficial to comprehend the interaction between two EASWs in astrophysical and laboratory plasmas.