Ion acoustic shock waves in presence of superthermal electrons and interaction of classical positron beam

The effect of positron beam on the ion-acoustic shock wave is studied. The plasma system under-consideration consists of inertial ions and superthermal electrons and the positron beam with classical streaming velocities. Kinematic viscosity of the ions component is responsible of the dissipation in plasma system. The Burgers equation has been derived by employing the reductive perturbation method. It is noticed that both the amplitude and steepness of the ion-acoustic shock wave accrue, as the spectral index of the superthermal electrons, and concentration of impinging positron beam are enhanced. However, the shock amplitude is found to diminish as the beam streaming velocity and temperature ratio of positrons to electrons are increased in the plasma system. Our findings may be helpful in the understanding of laboratory beam plasma interaction experiments as well as the space and astrophysical plasmas with effects of superthermality and interacting beam. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3684659]