Transformations and multi-solitonic solutions for a generalized variable-coefficient Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation

Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equations with variable coefficients can be used to characterize many nonlinear phenomena in fluid dynamics and plasma physics more realistically than the equations with constant coefficients. Hereby, a generalized variable-coefficient Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation with nonlinearity, dispersion and perturbed terms is investigated. Transformations, of which the consistency conditions are exactly the Painlevé integrability conditions, to the Korteweg–de Vries equation, cylindrical Korteweg–de Vries equation, Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation and cylindrical Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation are presented by formal dependent variable transformation assumptions. Using the Hirota bilinear method, from the variable-coefficient bilinear equation, the multi-solitonic solution, auto-Bäcklund transformation and Lax pair for the variable-coefficient Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation are obtained. Moreover, the influence of inhomogeneity coefficients on solitonic structures and interaction properties is discussed for physical interest and possible applications.