Nonlinear propagation of ion acoustic waves has been studied in unmagnetized quantum (degenerate) plasma in the presence of an ion beam using the one-dimensional quantum hydrodynamic model. The Korteweg–de Vries (K–dV) equation has been derived by using the reductive perturbation technique. The solution of ion acoustic solitary waves is obtained from the K–dV equation. The theoretical results have been analyzed numerically for different values of plasma parameters and the results are presented graphically. It is seen that the formation and structure of solitary waves are significantly affected by the ion beam in quantum plasma. The solitary waves will be compressive or rarefactive depending upon the values of velocity, concentration, and temperature of the ion beam. The critical value of ion beam density for the nonexistence of solitary wave has been numerically estimated, and its variation with velocity and temperature of ion beam has been discussed graphically. The results are new and would be very useful for understanding the beam–plasma interactions and the formation of nonlinear wave structures in dense quantum plasma.

The aim of this paper is to obtain a new unique continuation property (UCP) for the Korteweg–de Vries equation posed on a finite interval. Compared with the previous UCP, we need fewer conditions on the solution. For this purpose, we have to establish a global Carleman estimate for the Korteweg–de Vries equation.