RADIATION OF LANGMUIR SOLITONS

It is shown that a Langmuir soliton radiates a resonant wave with the phase velocity equal to the soliton velocity. The group velocity of th e radiated wave is less than the soliton velocity and, therefore, the soliton radiates backward. The amplitude of the radiated wave is calcu lated analytically with asymptotic accuracy in the limiting case of sm all soliton amplitudes. Soliton attenuation and slowing down, caused b y the radiation, are also calculated. (C) 1997 American Institute of P hysics.