Nonequilibrium stationary states of 3D self-gravitating systems

TL;DR

This paper develops a theory to predict the particle distribution in the quasistationary states of 3D self-gravitating systems, which do not reach thermodynamic equilibrium but become trapped in these states.

Contribution

It introduces a predictive framework for the final quasistationary states of self-gravitating systems based on initial conditions and virial constraints.

Findings

Predicts particle distributions in quasistationary states

Applicable to systems starting with isotropic velocities and virial equilibrium

Provides a priori predictions without full dynamical simulations

Abstract

Three dimensional self-gravitating systems do not evolve to thermodynamic equilibrium, but become trapped in nonequilibrium quasistationary states. In this Letter we present a theory which allows us to a priori predict the particle distribution in a final quasistationary state to which a self-gravitating system will evolve from an initial condition which is isotropic in particle velocities and satisfies a virial constraint 2K=-U, where K is the total kinetic energy and U is the potential energy of the system.