Nonlinear ion-acoustic solitons in a magnetized quantum plasma with arbitrary degeneracy of electrons

Abstract: Nonlinear ion-acoustic waves are analyzed in a non-relativistic magnetized quantum plasma with arbitrary degeneracy of electrons. Quantum statistics is taken into account by means of the equation of state for ideal fermions at arbitrary temperature. Quantum diffraction is described by a modified Bohm potential consistent with finite temperature quantum kinetic theory in the long wavelength limit. The dispersion relation of the obliquely propagating electrostatic waves in magnetized quantum plasma with arbitrary degeneracy of electrons is obtained. Using the reductive perturbation method, the corresponding Zakharov-Kuznetsov equation is derived, describing obliquely propagating two-dimensional ion-acoustic solitons in a magnetized quantum plasma with degenerate electrons having arbitrary electron temperature. It is found that in the dilute plasma case only electrostatic potential hump structures are possible, while in dense quantum plasma in principle both hump and dip soliton structures are obtainable, depending on the electron plasma density and its temperature. The results are validated by comparison with the quantum hydrodynamic model including electron inertia and magnetization effects. Suitable physical parameters for observations are identified.