Dynamics of Alfvén solitons in inhomogeneous plasmas

Abstract

To provide an analytical scheme for the dynamical behavior of nonlinear Alfvén waves in inhomogeneous plasmas, this paper investigates a generalized variable-coefficient derivative nonlinear Schrödinger equation. In the sense of admitting the Lax pair and infinitely many conservation laws, the integrability of this equation is established under certain coefficient constraint which suggests which inhomogeneities support stable Alfvén solitons. The Hirota method is adopted to construct the one- and multi-Alfvén-soliton solutions. The inhomogeneous soliton features are also discussed through analyzing some important physical quantities. A sample model is treated with our results, and graphical illustration presents two energy-radiating Alfvén soliton structures.