Wronskian solutions, bilinear Bäcklund transformation, quasi-periodic waves and asymptotic behaviors for a (3+1)-dimensional generalized Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation

In this paper, we investigate the integrability of a (3+1)-dimensional generalized Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation, which is widely used in fluid mechanics and theoretical physics. The $N$-soliton solution is obtained via the Hirota’s bilinear method. The Wronskian solution is derived by using the Wronskian technique for the bilinear form. Through the exchange formula, we deduce the bilinear Bäcklund transformation consisting of four equations and six parameters. In order to consider the quasi-periodic wave having complex structure, one-, two- and three-periodic waves are investigated systemically by combining the Hirota’s bilinear method with Riemann theta function. Furthermore, the corresponding graphs of periodic wave are presented by considering the geometric properties between the characteristic lines. The propagation characteristics of periodic waves are investigated by virtue of the characteristic lines. Finally, the asymptotic relationships between quasi-periodic wave solutions and soliton solutions are established theoretically under a condition of the small amplitude limit. The analytical method used in this paper can be applied in other integrable systems.