Kinetic theory of Jeans instability

S. A. Trigger*, A. I. Ershkovich, G. J.F. Van Heijst, P. P.J.M. Schram

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Kinetic treatment of the Jeans gravitational instability, with collisions taken into account, is presented. The initial-value problem for the distribution function which obeys the kinetic equation, with the collision integral conserving the number of particles, is solved. Dispersion relation is obtained and analyzed. New modes are found. Collisions are shown not to affect the Jeans instability criterion. Although the instability growth rate diminishes, the collisions they cannot quench the instability. However, the oscillation spectrum is modified significantly: even in the neighborhood of the threshold frequency [Formula presented] (separating stable and unstable modes) the spectrum of oscillations can strongly depend on the collision frequency. Propagating (rather than aperiodic) modes are also found. These modes, however, are strongly damped.

Original languageEnglish
Article number066403
Pages (from-to)066403-1-066403-6
Number of pages6
JournalPhysical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
Volume69
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2004

Funding

FundersFunder number
Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

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