Nonlinear low-frequency collisional quantum Buneman instability

Abstract

The Buneman instability occurring when an electron population is drifting with respect to the ions is analyzed in the quantum linear and nonlinear regimes. The one-dimensional low-frequency and collisional model of Shokri and Niknam [Phys. Plasmas, v. 12, p. 062110 (2005)] is revisited introducing the Bohm potential term in the momentum equation. The linear regime is investigated analytically, and quantum effects result in a reduction of the instability. The nonlinear regime is then assessed both numerically and analytically, and pure quantum density oscillations are found to appear during the late evolution of the instability.