Possible spectroscopic signature of wave collapse in edge plasmas

In plasmas coupled to an external energy source like a beam of energetic electrons, one can observe the non‐linear coupling of Langmuir waves with ion sound and electromagnetic waves. This non‐linear interaction of waves changes the structural and radiative properties of plasmas. Coherent wave packets are trapped in regions of high intensity, and are subjected to a wave collapse cycle. We show that the electric field of the wave packets can modify the spectral lines emitted by hydrogen atoms. Our model for this field is a sequence of envelope solitons oscillating at the plasma frequency or the upper hybrid frequency. The calculations presented concern the Hα and Hβ Balmer lines of hydrogen and show the possible modifications of the line shapes if wave collapse conditions affect the edge plasma.