To investigate the existence of kinetic Alfvén wave solitons, warm adiabatic ions and kappa distributed electrons are considered in a magnetized plasma. The kappa distribution (having the spectral index κ) is a velocity distribution that has a high energy tail but approaches the Maxwellian when κ→∞. In this work, by using the Sagdeev pseudopotential method, an exact analytical expression for arbitrary amplitude solitary kinetic Alfvén wave is derived. For different sets of plasma parameter values, the Sagdeev potential Ψ (ϕ) has been calculated numerically. It is found that the spectral index κ plays a significant role in determining the shape and size of the solitary waves and double layers. Also, it is observed that both compressive solitary waves and double layers exist depending on the values of different plasma parameters.
A two fluid model has been employed to study the oblique propagation of solitary kinetic Alfvén waves. Formation of solitary waves and double layers is observed. Amplitude, width (in the case of solitons), and thickness (in the case of double layers) of the nonlinear structures are studied in some detail. Wider solitary structures are found to exist for oblique propagation nearer to the magnetic field direction.
Large amplitude electrostatic structures associated with low-frequency dust kinetic Alfvénic waves are investigated under the pressure (temperature) gradient indicative of dust dynamics. The set of equations governing the dust dynamics, Boltzmann electrons, ions and Maxwell’s equation have been reduced to a single equation known as the Sagdeev potential equation. Parameter ranges for the existence of arbitrary amplitude double layers are observed. Exact analytical expressions for the energy integral is obtained and computed numerically through which sub-Alfvénic arbitrary amplitude rarefactive double layers are found to exist.
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