Propagation of an ion-acoustic soliton in an inhomogeneous plasma

Abstract

Experiments on the propagation of an ion-acoustic soliton into a region of inhomogeneous plasma density are described. It is found that the local amplitude and velocity decrease and the width increases as the soliton propagates into a region of lower density. The results are in good agreement with a model based on the KdV equation and with the recent study of Kuehl and Imen [Phys. Fluids 28, 2375 (1985)].