Small amplitude electron-acoustic solitary waves in a plasma with nonthermal electrons

In the present investigation electron-acoustic solitons in a plasma consisting of cold and nonthermal electrons are studied. Using reductive perturbation method, a KdV equation is derived for electron-acoustic solitons propagating in a collisionless plasma. Nonvanishing and negative value of coefficient of nonlinear term of KdV equation implies that only rarefactive solitons are permissible. This equation is solved in a stationary frame to obtain the expression for the soliton solution. Further, it is found that with the increase of nonthermal electron distribution parameter, the peak amplitude of solitons decreases. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.