Nonlinear periodic waves on the charged free surface of a perfect fluid

Analytical expressions for the profile of a nonlinear wave and for a nonlinear correction to its frequency are derived in the fourth-order approximation in amplitude of a periodic traveling wave on a uniformly charged free surface of an infinitely deep perfect incompressible fluid. It is found that corrections to the amplitude and frequency of the nonlinear wave are absent if the problem is solved under the initial condition that provides the constancy of the first-order amplitude and wavelength in time. Nonlinear analysis of conditions for instability of the fluid free surface against the surface charge shows that the critical charge density and wavenumber of the least stable wave are not constant (as in the linear theory) and decrease with growing amplitude of the wave. (C) 2004 MAIK "Nauka / Interperiodica".