Electron acoustic waves in a plasma with a q-nonextensive distribution of electrons

Using a kinetic theoretical approach, the characteristics of electron acoustic waves (EAWs) have been studied in a plasma whose electron velocity distributions are modeled by a q-nonextensive distribution function. Analytical expressions have been derived to show the dependence of the phase velocity of EAWs on nonextensive parameter q for different ranges of wavelengths of EAWs. These expressions show that in all three regions (i.e., long wavelength, intermediate wavelength, and short wavelength regions), the dispersion of EAWs depends on the nonextensive parameter q. The numerical solution of the dispersion relation has been obtained to identify strongly and weakly damped regions of the EAWs. The results show that the range of wavenumbers for which EAWs are weakly damped depends strongly on the nonextensive parameter q. The smaller values of nonextensive parameter q mean more nonthermal electrons and hence the narrow range of the weakly damped region of EAWs. In the limit q -> 1, the results of the Maxwellian distribution function can be obtained from the results of the q nonextensive distribution function. Published by AIP Publishing.