Compression of the multiple ion-acoustic soliton at the bottom of the space potential

Abstract

Detailed experimental investigations on compressive phenomena are performed using a double-plasma-type device. When the incident multiple ion-acoustic soliton propagates to the ion-sheath edge, which is produced by the biased reflector to deep negative potential, this multiple soliton is compressed by the accelerated velocities of the second and third pulses and becomes a single soliton at the reflection point. It then resumes the form of a multiple soliton, as if via a recurrence phenomenon, and each pulse of this multiple soliton propagates toward the reflector. These phenomena are caused by an uneven space potential, which in turn is produced by deep negative voltage on the reflector and ion wakefield. Also, the reflection soliton is produced at this reflection point. ͓S1063-651X͑97͒01910-7͔PACS number͑s͒: 52.35.Sb, 52.35.Mw