Strongly nonlinear evolution of low-frequency wave packets in a dispersive plasma

The evolution of strongly nonlinear, strongly modulated wave packets is investigated in a dispersive plasma using a hybrid numerical code. These wave packets have amplitudes exceeding the strength of the external magnetic field, along which they propagate. Alfven (left helicity) wave packets show strong steepening for p < 1, while fast (fight heIicity) wave packets hardly steepen for any beta. Substantial regions of opposite helicity form on the leading side of steepened Alfven wave packets. This behavior differs qualitatively from that exhibited by the solutions to the derivative nonlinear Schrodinger (DNLS) equation.