arXiv subjects

Ch. Theis

Publications and source records attributed to Ch. Theis.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2001

Chemodynamical Modelling of Galaxy Formation and Evolution

We present our recently developed 3-dimensional chemodynamical code for galaxy evolution. This code follows the evolution of different galactic components like stars, dark matter and different components of the interstellar medium (ISM), i.e. a diffuse gaseous phase and the molecular clouds. Stars and dark matter are treated as collisionless N-body systems. The ISM is numerically described by a smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) approach for the diffuse gas and a sticky particle scheme for the molecular clouds. Additionally, the galactic components are coupled by several phase transitions like star formation, stellar death or condensation and evaporation processes within the ISM. As an example we show the dynamical and chemical evolution of a star forming dwarf galaxy with a total baryonic mass of $2 \cdot 10^9 M_\odot$. After a moderate collapse phase the stars and the molecular clouds follow an exponential radial distribution, whereas the diffuse gas shows a central depression as a result of stellar feedback. The metallicities of the galactic components behave quite differently with respect to their temporal evolution as well as their radial distribution. Especially, the ISM is at no stage well mixed.

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arXiv2001

The merger stage of the ultra-luminous infrared galaxy IRAS 03158+4227

We examine the merger stage of IRAS 03158+4227, one of the most luminous ULIRGs from the IRAS 2 Jy sample. Deep optical images are presented along with high-resolution NIR images and optical low-resolution spectra. IRAS 03158+4227 is confirmed as a component of an equal-luminosity binary galaxy with a nuclei separation of 47 / (h/75) kpc. A long lopsided tail emanating from the companion, which harbours an active nucleus, is the most prominent peculiar feature of the binary. The results of numerical simulations admit the interpretation of this structure as a product of the tidal interaction between the two components. If the infrared-activity of IRAS 03158+4227 is also dynamically triggered by this process, this would implicate that the ULIRG phenomenon is not restricted to the final stage of a binary merger. Alternatively, the system may be a multiple merger where the partner(s) has/have already coalesced.

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arXiv2001

Galaxies and Genes: Towards an Automatic Modeling of Interacting Galaxies

The main problems in modeling interacting galaxies are the extended parameter space and the fairly high CPU costs of self-consistent N-body simulations. Therefore, traditional modeling techniques suffer from either extreme CPU demands or trapping in local optima (or both). A very promising alternative approach are evolutionary algorithms which mimic natural adaptation in order to optimize the numerical models. One main advantage is their very weak dependence on starting points which makes them much less prone to trapping in local optima. We present a Genetic Algorithm (GA) coupled with a fast (but not self-consistent) restricted N-body solver. This combination allows us to identify interesting regions of parameter space within only a few CPU hours on a standard PC or a few CPU minutes on a parallel computer. Especially, we demonstrate here the ability of GA-based fitting procedures to analyse observational data automatically, provided the data are sufficiently accurate.

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arXiv1998

On the evolution of shape in N-body simulations

A database on shape evolution of direct N-body models formed out of cold, dissipationless collapse is generated using GRAPE and HARP special purpose computers. Such models are important to understand the formation of elliptical galaxies. Three dynamically distinct phases of shape evolution were found, first a fast dynamical collapse which gives rise to the radial orbit instability (ROI) and generates at its end the maximal triaxiality of the system. Subsequently, two phases of violent and two-body shape relaxation occur, which drive the system first towards axisymmetry, finally to spherical symmetry (the final state, however, is still much more concentrated than the initial model). In a sequence of models the influence of numerical and physical parameters, like particle number, softening, initial virial ratio, timestep choice, different N-body codes, are examined. We find that an improper combination of softening and particle number can produce erroneous results. Selected models were evolved on the secular timescale until they became spherically symmetric again. The secular shape relaxation time scale is shown to agree very well with the two-body relaxation time, if softening is properly taken into account for the latter. Finally, we argue, that the intermediate phase of violent shape relaxation after collapse is induced by strong core oscillations in the centre, which cause potential fluctuations, dampening out the triaxiality.

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arXiv1997

Condensation and Evaporation of Interstellar Clouds in Chemodynamical Models of Galaxies

The network of interactions between hot gas, cool clouds, massive stars, and stellar remnants used in the chemodynamical modeling of the interstellar medium is investigated for the types of its solutions. In a physically consistent formulation for the energy transfer during condensation, oscillations due to a cyclic switching between condensation and evaporation never occur. A closed-box system evolves in a hierarchy of equilibria: thermal balance in the cloud gas, star-formation self-regulated due to heating of the clouds by massive stars, and the balance of condensation and evaporation. Except for an initial transitory phase, the evolution of the metallicity follows that of the Simple Model quite closely. For galaxies with a high initial density, or if the condensation rate is low, the metals produced by the stars may remain stored in the hot gas phase even in evolved systems with low gas fractions.

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arXiv1997

Fragmentation of Expanding Shells in Spiral and Irregular Galaxies

Conditions for the fragmentation of expanding shells due to gravitational instability are discussed. The self-similar analytical solution is compared with the results of 3-dimensional computer simulations for the expansion into homogeneous media. For realistic galactic disks we show that the formation of fragments is influenced by the amount of energy supply from the final number of young stars in an OB association, the value of the sound speed, the stratification and density of the ambient medium, the galactic differential rotation and the gravitational force perpendicular to the galactic plane. The typical size of gravitationally unstable shells is 1 kpc for an ambient gas density n=1 cm^-3. In thick disk galaxies the fragmentation occurs in nearly the whole shell while in thin disks it is restricted to the galactic equator. Unstable fragments may become molecular and trigger the formation of molecular clouds, and finally new star formation. We conclude that in dwarf galaxies the star formation may propagate in all directions turning the system into a star- burst. Contrary to that, the star formation in spiral galaxies propagates only in some directions in a thin strip near the symmetry plane, basically at the tips of the expanding shell.

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