Fluid dynamic damping of ion acoustic waves

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Abstract
Expressions are derived for the spatial damping rate of ion acoustic waves traveling through inhomogeneous plasmas enclosed in plane, cylindrical, or spherical surfaces. The waves are assumed to have the same symmetry as the plasma. The solutions are valid for wavelengths small compared with the size of the plasma and negligible Landau damping. Ionization of the gas by beam or plasma electrons and ion‐neutral collisions are taken into account. The wave is more heavily damped when it travels from the plasma boundary to the center than vice versa.