Ionization instability of ion-acoustic waves

Stability of ion-acoustic waves in weakly ionized unmagnetized plasmas is investigated using fluid equations, assuming an arbitrary dependence of ion production and loss rates on electron and ion densities. The linear dispersion relation is derived and the condition for the positive growth rate is identified. Some examples corresponding to different plasma regimes are given to illustrate the application of the obtained results. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3447883]