Modulation of electron-acoustic waves in a plasma with kappa distribution

In the present work, employing a one dimensional model of an unmagnetized collisionless plasma consisting of a cold electron fluid, hot electrons obeying kappa velocity distribution, and stationary ions, we study the amplitude modulation of an electron-acoustic waves by use of the conventional reductive perturbation method. Employing the field equations of such a plasma, we obtained the nonlinear Schrodinger equation as the evolution equation. Seeking a harmonic wave solution with progressive wave amplitude to the evolution equation, as opposed to the plasma with vortex distribution, the amplitude wave assumes a shock wave type of solution. Finally, the modulational stability of the wave is studied and it is observed that the wave is modulationally stable for all admissible wave numbers. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.