Nucleation in two-dimensional Langmuir turbulence

Abstract

Simulations of the long-time behavior of the Zakharov model of Langmuir turbulence in two spatial dimensions reveal regimes where nucleation of localized electrostatic fields in previously burnt out density cavities is the mechanism which sustains the turbulence. Power spectrum diagnostics show that for moderate ion wave damping the Langmuir energy is carried by localized states.