Plasma-wave behavior in multiple dimensions is studied using two- and three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. We find that large-amplitude waves with $k{\lambda }_D\gtrsim 0.2$, where $k$ is the wave number of the wave and ${\lambda }_D$ is the Debye length, localize in the transverse direction around their axis due to nonlinear, local damping caused by transiting particles. The center of the wave behaves like a plane wave in which trapped particles maintain a quasisteady state at approximately constant amplitude, while the transverse edges damp away.

• Received 7 May 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.83.045401