Self Refraction of Nonlinear Ion Acoustic Waves

Self refraction and focussing of nonlinear ion acoustic pulses with transverse amplitude inhomogeneity are studied experimentally. The nonlinearity causes self-refraction, however it does not last further since the amplitude inhomogeneity is weakened by diffraction. The nonlinear rarefactive pulse tends to focus under a certain condition but it is also interrupted to last by both dispersion and diffraction.