Nonlinear dynamics of electromagnetic pulses in cold relativistic plasmas

Abstract

In the present analysis we study the self-consistent propagation of nonlinear electromagnetic pulses in a one-dimensional relativistic electron–ion plasma, from the perspective of nonlinear dynamics. We show how a series of Hamiltonian bifurcations give rise to the electric fields which are of relevance in the subject of particle acceleration. Connections between these bifurcated solutions and the results of earlier analysis are made.