Exploring nonlinearities in a positive ion-negative ion (PINI) plasma: can other processes mimic debris-induced effects?

TL;DR

This paper investigates nonlinear wave phenomena in positive ion-negative ion plasmas caused by external charged debris, comparing theoretical models and simulations with experimental observations to identify processes that mimic debris effects.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical and computational analysis of nonlinear structures in PINI plasma induced by external debris, highlighting similarities with experimental phenomena without debris.

Findings

Nonlinear structures are induced by external charged debris.

Theoretical models align with experimental observations.

Different processes can produce similar nonlinear effects.

Abstract

In this work, an analysis of nonlinear waves and structures induced by an external charged debris in a positive ion-negative ion (PINI) plasma is presented. The results obtained are compared with findings from available experiments involving PINI plasma. The process of formation of different nonlinear structures is examined theoretically through a forced Korteweg-de Vries (fKdV) equation, which is also verified with a multi-fluid flux-corrected transport simulation code mFCT. Various processes which are responsible for different nonlinear waves and structures excited by differently charged external debris are pointed out. This work also points out the similarities in different nonlinear structures {excited} by an external charged debris and the underlying processes (this work) and those {observed experimentally through processes that do not involve any external debris.