Nonplanar ion-acoustic subsonic shock waves in dissipative electron-ion-pcd plasmas

Abstract

The dissipative electron-ion-pcd (positively charged dust) plasma, which is observed in both space and laboratory plasmas, is considered. The basic features of nonplanar cylindrical and spherical ion-acoustic subsonic shock waves in such a medium are investigated by deriving a modified Burgers equation using the reductive perturbation method. It is found that the stationary pcd species reduces the phase speed of the ion-acoustic waves, and consequently supports the subsonic shock waves due to the kinematic viscosity (acting as a source of dissipation) of the ion species. It is observed that the cylindrical and spherical subsonic shock waves evolve with time very significantly, and that the time evolution of the spherical shock structures is faster than that of the cylindrical ones. The implications of the results of the work to space and laboratory plasmas are discussed.