NONLINEAR PLASMA-WAVES WITH STEADY-STATE DC CURRENT

Using a low-frequency, low-beta model of a magnetized plasma, several nonlinear waves are studied. All the waves share the property that the y have a self-consistent time-averaged current in the steady state. Th e first wave is a one-dimensional solitary wave that propagates obliqu ely to a static magnetic field. The wave magnetic field has a kink str ucture, which results in the production of the time-averaged current. A two-dimensional wave that propagates parallel to the background magn etic field is also discussed. This is a forced wave, requiring an ante nna structure to support it in the steady state. The characteristics o f the two-dimensional wave are dependent upon the wave speed, which in turn is determined by the speed of the travelling wave on the externa l antenna.