Linear and nonlinear ion-acoustic waves in an unmagnetized electron-positron-ion quantum plasma

The linear and nonlinear properties of the ion-acoustic waves (IAWs) are investigated by using the quantum hydrodynamic equations together with the Poisson equation in a three-component quantum electron-positron-ion plasma. For this purpose, a linear dispersion relation, a Korteweg-de Vries equation and an energy equation containing quantum corrections are derived. Computational investigations have been performed to examine the quantum mechanical effects on the linear and nonlinear waves. It is found that both the linear and nonlinear properties of the IAWs are significantly affected by the inclusion of the quantum corrections. The relevance of the present investigation to dense white dwarfs (where the electron-positron annihilation can be unimportant) is discussed. (C) 2007 American Institute of Physics.