The weakly nonlinear theory of density waves in a stellar disk
Journal
Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications
Journal Volume
205
Journal Issue
1-3
Pages
299-306
Date Issued
1994
Author(s)
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. © 1994.
Type
journal article