Dynamics of cavitons at critical density

Abstract

The dynamics of envelope solitons accompanied by density depressions (cavitons) is analyzed with use of the driven Zakharov equations for inhomogeneous plasmas. The new contributions due to ion inertia as well as the novel phenomenon of amplitude-width-symmetry breaking are discussed. The results are applied to resonance absorption processes in laser-produced plasmas. © 1980 The American Physical Society.