Finite amplitude envelope surface solitons

Known results on the nonlinear coupling of surface plasma waves with quasistationary ion density perturbations are generalized to include finite amplitude density modulations. A more rigorous analytical criterion is provided for the existence of the surface soliton, by using the pseudopotential formalism. Finite amplitude solutions are obtained numerically and their characteristics are discussed. The present results are useful in understanding the nonlinear dynamics and the periodic oscillatory structures on plasma surfaces. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.