Physics – Condensed Matter – Statistical Mechanics
Scientific paper
Oct 1992
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992apj...397l..75s&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 2 - Letters (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 397, no. 2, p. L75-L78.
Physics
Condensed Matter
Statistical Mechanics
44
Elliptical Galaxies, Galactic Evolution, Gravitation, Interacting Galaxies, Statistical Mechanics, Wave-Particle Interactions, Angular Momentum, Digital Simulation, Energy Distribution, Stellar Systems, Thermodynamics
Scientific paper
We propose a functional that is extremized through violent relaxation. It is based on the Ansatz that the wave-particle scattering during violent dynamical processes can be approximated as a sequence of discrete scattering events that occur near a particle's perigalacticon. This functional has an extremum whose structure closely resembles that of spheroidal stellar systems such as elliptical galaxies. The results described here, therefore, provide a simple framework for understanding the physical nature of violent relaxation and support the view that galaxies are structured in accord with fundamental statistical principles.
Hernquist Lars
Spergel David N.
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