The weakly nonlinear theory of density waves in a stellar disk

Evgeny Griv, Tzihong Chiueh, William Peter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Quasilinear theory is applied to the adiabatic wave-star interaction of a differentially-rotating stellar disk of a galaxy. Under the influence of growing spiral waves the velocity dispersion of stars increases and the surface mass density becomes more peaked. The resulting distortion in phase space leads to a decrease in the growth rate of the waves, and as the result the Jeans instability should end after a few rotations of the system. The theory is confirmed by N-body computer simulations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)299-306
Number of pages8
JournalPhysica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications
Volume205
Issue number1-3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 1994
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Statistics and Probability
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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