A new method to create initially mass segregated star clusters in virial equilibrium

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new parametrized method to create initially mass segregated star clusters in virial equilibrium, verified through N-body simulations, advancing modeling of star cluster dynamics.

Contribution

It presents a novel single-parameter model for mass segregated star clusters in virial equilibrium and an algorithm for constructing such models.

Findings

Models are stable over several crossing-times.

The method accurately reproduces mass segregation in star clusters.

Verification through direct N-body simulations confirms stability.

Abstract

Mass segregation stands as one of the most robust features of the dynamical evolution of self-gravitating star clusters. In this paper we formulate parametrised models of mass segregated star clusters in virial equilibrium. To this purpose we introduce mean inter-particle potentials for statistically described unsegregated systems and suggest a single-parameter generalisation of its form which gives a mass-segregated state. We describe an algorithm for construction of appropriate star cluster models. Their stability over several crossing-times is verified by following the evolution by means of direct N-body integration.