arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Jean-Marc Huré.
We report the closed-form expression for Hill's surfaces in the circular restricted three-body problem. The solution $ϕ(r,θ)$, derived in the primary-centric spherical coordinate system, is deduced from a cubic equation delivering at most two roots on each side of a separatrix. The famous patterns (tadpole, horseshoe and peanut shapes, Roche lobes and Hill's quasi-spheres) are exactly produced.
The determination of the gravitational potential by the polyhedral method is revisited in the case where the surface of a body is composed of triangular facets. Based upon six test-shapes of astrophysical interest (sphere, spheroid, triaxial, lemon-shape, dumbell and torus) projected on nested grids, we verify that the convergence toward reference values is second-order in the step size of the grid, inside the body, at the surface and outside. We then show that the accuracy or computing time can be drastically enhanced by implementing the Repeated Richardson Extrapolation. This technique is especially efficient when the body's surface is smooth enough, and is therefore well adapted to the theory of figures (single and multi-layer fluids) and to dynamical studies (test-particle and mutual interactions), which require a large number of field evaluations. For real objects like asteroids that have very irregular terrains at small scales, the gain is modest. In that context, we estimate the discretization level beyond which the typical error in potential values due to altimetric uncertainties dominates over the contribution of sub-grid cavities and bumps. For bodies close to spherical, the criterion reads $T \gtrsim \frac{64 D}{3 λ},$ where $D$ is the diameter of the body, $λ$ the typical shape error and $T$ the number of triangular facets involved. The case of 433 Eros is considered as an example.
We report the existence of hydrostatic equilibrium states for a composite body made of two rigidly rotating, homogeneous layers bounded by spheroidal surfaces, where the core has a prolate shape. These new configurations require an oblate envelope that spins faster than the core. No solution with a prolate envelope is found. For some parameters, the prolate core can even be at rest. Numerical experiments based on the self-consistent field method support this result in the case of heterogeneous layers with polytropic equations of state. The possible cancellation of the first gravitational moment, $J_2$, is discussed.
We show that a rigidly rotating, homogeneous ellipsoid of revolution threaded by a uniform, coaxial magnetic field is a possible figure of equilibrium. While the spheroidal shape is fully preserved, the rotation rate is modified. Accordingly, we extend the fundamental formula by Maclaurin. In contrast with the non-magnetic case, prolate shapes are permitted, but there are critical states in the form of maximum elongations, depending on ionisation fraction, ion/electron drift, magnetic field and mass-density. As checked from numerical simulations based on the Self-Consistent-Field method, prolate states survive to gas compressibility. The relevance to interstellar clouds is outlined.
We show that the two-dimensional structure of a rigidly rotating self-gravitating body is accessible with relatively good precision by assuming a purely spheroidal stratification. With this hypothesis, the two-dimensional problem becomes one-dimensional, and consists in solving two coupled fixed-point equations in terms of equatorial mass density and eccentricity of isopycnics. We propose a simple algorithm of resolution based on the self-consistent field method. Compared to the full unconstrained-surface two-dimensional problem, the precision in the normalized enthalpy field is better than $10^{-3}$ in absolute, and the computing time is drastically reduced. In addition, this one-dimensional approach is fully appropriate to fast rotators, works for any density profile (including any barotropic equation of state), and can account for mass density jumps in the system, including the existence of an ambient pressure. Several tests are given.
The theory of Nested Figures of Equilibrium, expanded in Papers I and II, is investigated in the limit where the number of layers of the rotating body is infinite, enabling to reach full heterogeneity. In the asymptotic process, the discrete set of equations becomes a differential equation for the rotation rate. In the special case of rigid rotation (from center to surface), we are led to an Integro-Differential Equation (IDE) linking the ellipticity of isopycnic surfaces to the equatorial mass-density profile. In constrast with most studies, these equations are not restricted to small flattenings, but are valid for fast rotators as well. We use numerical solutions obtained from the SCF-method to validate this approach. At small ellipticities (slow rotation), we fully recover Clairaut's equation. Comparisons with Chandrasekhar's perturbative approach and with Roberts' work based on Virial equations are successful. We derive a criterion to characterize the transition from slow to fast rotators. The treatment of heterogeneous structures containing mass-density jumps is proposed through a modified IDE.
We discuss the equilibrium conditions for a body made of two homogeneous components separated by oblate spheroidal surfaces and in relative motion. While exact solutions are not permitted for rigid rotation (unless a specific ambient pressure), approximations can be obtained for configurations involving a small confocal parameter. The problem then admits two families of solutions, depending on the pressure along the common interface (constant or quadratic with the cylindrical radius). We give in both cases the pressure and the rotation rates as a function of the fractional radius, ellipticities and mass-density jump. Various degrees of flattening are allowed but there are severe limitations for global rotation, as already known from classical theory (e.g. impossibility of confocal and coelliptical solutions, gradient of ellipticity outward). States of relative rotation are much less constrained, but these require a mass-density jump. This analytical approach compares successfully with the numerical solutions obtained from the Self-Consistent-Field method. Practical formula are derived in the limit of small ellipticities appropriate for slowly-rotating star/planet interiors.
We present a vectorial formalism to determine the approximate solutions to the problem of a composite body made of $L$ homogeneous, rigidly rotating layers bounded by spheroidal surfaces. The method is based on the 1st-order expansion of the gravitational potential over confocal parameters, thereby generalizing the method described in Paper I for $L=2$. For a given relative geometry of the ellipses and a given set of mass-density jumps at the interfaces, the sequence of rotation rates and interface pressures is obtained analytically by recursion. A wide range of equilibria result when layers rotate in an asynchronous manner, although configurations with a negative oblateness gradient are more favorable. In contrast, states of global rotation (all layers move at the same rate), found by solving a linear system of $L-1$ equations, are much more constrained. In this case, we mathematically demonstrate that confocal and coelliptical configurations are not permitted. Approximate formula for small ellipticities are derived. These results reinforce and prolongate known results and classical theorems restricted to small elliptiticities. Comparisons with the numerical solutions computed from the Self-Consistent-Field method are successful.
The softened point mass model is commonly used in simulations of gaseous discs including self-gravity while the value of associated length λremains, to some degree, controversial. This ``parameter'' is however fully constrained when, in a discretized disc, all fluid cells are demanded to obey Newton's law. We examine the topology of solutions in this context, focusing on cylindrical cells more or less vertically elongated. We find that not only the nominal length depends critically on the cell's shape (curvature, radial extension, height), but it is either a real or an imaginary number. Setting λas a fraction of the local disc thickness -- as usually done -- is indeed not the optimal choice. We then propose a novel prescription valid irrespective of the disc properties and grid spacings. The benefit, which amounts to 2-3 more digits typically, is illustrated in a few concrete cases. A detailed mathematical analysis is in progress.
The local character of self-gravity along with the number of spatial dimensions are critical issues when computing the potential and forces inside massive systems like stars and disks. This appears from the discretisation scale where each cell of the numerical grid is a self-interacting body in itself. There is apparently no closed-form expression yet giving the potential of a three-dimensional homogeneous cylindrical or spherical cell, in contrast with the Cartesian case. By using Green's theorem, we show that the potential integral for such polar-type 3D sectors -- initially, a volume integral with singular kernel -- can be converted into a regular line-integral running over the lateral contour, thereby generalising a formula already known under axial symmetry. It therefore is a step towards the obtention of another potential/density pair. The new kernel is a finite function of the cell's shape (with the simplest form in cylindrical geometry), and mixes incomplete elliptic integrals, inverse trigonometric and hyperbolic functions. The contour integral is easy to compute; it is valid in the whole physical space, exterior and interior to the sector itself and works in fact for a wide variety of shapes of astrophysical interest (e.g. sectors of tori or flared discs). This result is suited to easily providing reference solutions, and to reconstructing potential and forces in inhomogeneous systems by superposition. The contour integrals for the 3 components of the acceleration vector are explicitely given.
As hydrostatic equilibrium of gaseous discs is partly governed by the gravity field, we have estimated the component caused by a vertically homogeneous disc, with a special attention for the outer regions where self-gravity classically appears. The accuracy of the integral formula is better than 1%, whatever the disc thickness, radial extension and radial density profile. At order zero, the field is even algebraic for thin discs and writes $- 4 πG Σ(R) f_{edge} (R)$ at disc surface, thereby correcting Paczynski's formula by a multiplying factor $f_{edge} \gtrsim 1/2$, which depends on the relative distance to the edges and the local disc thickness. For very centrally condensed discs however, this local contribution can be surpassed by action of mass stored in the inner regions, possibly resulting in $f_{edge} \gg 1$. A criterion setting the limit between these two regimes is derived. These result are robust in the sense that the details of vertical stratification are not critical. We briefly discuss how hydrostatic equilibrium is impacted. In particular, the disc flaring should not reverse in the self-gravitating region, which contradicts what is usually obtained from Paczynski's formula. This suggests that i) these outer regions are probably not fully shadowed by the inner ones (important when illuminated by a central star), and ii) the flared shape of discs does not firmly prove the absence or weakness of self-gravity.
The gravitational potential is a key function involved in many astrophysical problems. Its evaluation inside continuous media from Newton's law is known to be challenging because of the diverging kernel 1/|r-r'|. This difficulty is generally treated with avoidance techniques (e.g. multipole expansions, softening length) themselves not without drawbacks. In this article, we present a new path that basically fixes the point-mass singularity problem in systems with, at least, two dimensions. It consists of recasting the gravitational potential in an equivalent integro-differential form, namely the cross-derivative of a "hyperpotential" (i.e., an auxiliary scalar function). In contrast with the potential, the hyperpotential is the convolution of the mass density with a finite amplitude kernel. We show that closed-form expressions for this new kernel can be directly deduced from the potential of homogeneous sheets. We then give a few formulae appropriate to the Cartesian, cylindrical and spherical coordinate systems, including axial symmetry. The method is essentially not limited, either on the geometry of the source or on the distribution, and its implementation is straightforward. Several tests based upon simple quadrature/differentiation schemes are presented (the homogeneous rectangular sheet, cuboid and disk, the Maclaurin disk and a truncated Lane-Emden solution). Compared with a direct summation, the extra computational cost is low and the gain is real: no truncated series, no free parameter, and a relative accuracy better than 1% for typically 16 nodes per spatial direction using the most basic numerical schemes.
We have established the exact expression for the gravitational potential of a homogeneous polar cell - an elementary pattern used in hydrodynamical simulations of gravitating discs. This formula, which is a closed-form, works for any opening angle and radial extension of the cell. It is valid at any point in space, i.e. in the plane of the distribution (inside and outside) as well as off-plane, thereby generalizing the results reported by Durand (1953) for the circular disc. The three components of the gravitational acceleration are given. The mathematical demonstration proceeds from the "incomplete version of Durand's formula" for the potential (based on complete elliptic integrals). We determine first the potential due to the circular sector (i.e. a pie-slice sheet), and then deduce that of the polar cell (from convenient radial scaling and subtraction). As a by-product, we generate an integral theorem stating that "the angular average of the potential of any circular sector along its tangent circle is 2/PI times the value at the corner". A few examples are presented. For numerical resolutions and cell shapes commonly used in disc simulations, we quantify the importance of curvature effects by performing a direct comparison between the potential of the polar cell and that of the Cartesian (i.e. rectangular) cell having the same mass. Edge values are found to deviate roughly like 2E-3 x N/256 in relative (N is the number of grid points in the radial direction), while the agreement is typically four orders of magnitude better for values at the cell's center. We also produce a reliable approximation for the potential, valid in the cell's plane, inside and close to the cell. Its remarkable accuracy, about 5E-4 x N/256 in relative, is sufficient to estimate the cell's self-acceleration.
The "point mass singularity" inherent in Newton's law for gravitation represents a major difficulty in accurately determining the potential and forces inside continuous bodies. Here we report a simple and efficient analytical method to bypass the singular Green kernel 1/|r-r'| inside the source without altering the nature of the interaction. We build an equivalent kernel made up of a "cool kernel", which is fully regular (and contains the long-range -GM/r asymptotic behavior), and the gradient of a "hyperkernel", which is also regular. Compared to the initial kernel, these two components are easily integrated over the source volume using standard numerical techniques. The demonstration is presented for three-dimensional distributions in cylindrical coordinates, which are well-suited to describing rotating bodies (stars, discs, asteroids, etc.) as commonly found in the Universe. An example of implementation is given. The case of axial symmetry is treated in detail, and the accuracy is checked by considering an exact potential/surface density pair corresponding to a flat circular disc. This framework provides new tools to keep or even improve the physical realism of models and simulations of self-gravitating systems, and represents, for some of them, a conclusive alternative to softened gravity.
We exploit our formula for the gravitational potential of finite size, power-law disks to derive a general expression linking the mass of the black hole in active galactic nuclei (AGN), the mass of the surrounding disk, its surface density profile (through the power index s), and the differential rotation law. We find that the global rotation curve v(R) of the disk in centrifugal balance does not obey a power law of the cylindrical radius R (except in the confusing case s = -2 that mimics a Keplerian motion), and discuss the local velocity index. This formula can help to understand how, from position-velocity diagrams, mass is shared between the disk and the black hole. To this purpose, we have checked the idea by generating a sample of synthetic data with different levels of Gaussian noise, added in radius. It turns out that, when observations are spread over a large radial domain and exhibit low dispersion (standard deviation less than 10% typically), the disk properties (mass and s-parameter) and black hole mass can be deduced from a non linear fit of kinematic data plotted on a (R, Rv 2)-diagram. For a deviation higher than 10%, masses are estimated fairly well from a linear regression (corresponding to the zeroth-order treatment of the formula), but the power index s is no longer accessible. We have applied the model to 7 AGN disks whose rotation has already been probed through water maser emission. For NGC3393 and UGC3789, the masses seem well constrained through the linear approach. For IC1481, the power-law exponent s can even be deduced. Because the model is scale-free, it applies to any kind of star/disk system. Extension to disks around young stars showing deviation from Keplerian motion is thus straightforward.
The one-dimensional, ordinary differential equation (ODE) by Huré & Hersant (2007) that satisfies the midplane gravitational potential of truncated, flat power-law disks is extended to the whole physical space. It is shown that thickness effects (i.e. non-flatness) can be easily accounted for by implementing an appropriate "softening length" $λ$. The solution of this "softened ODE" has the following properties: i) it is regular at the edges (finite radial accelerations), ii) it possesses the correct long-range properties, iii) it matches the Newtonian potential of a geometrically thin disk very well, and iv) it tends continuously to the flat disk solution in the limit $λ\rightarrow 0$. As illustrated by many examples, the ODE, subject to exact Dirichlet conditions, can be solved numerically with efficiency for any given colatitude at second-order from center to infinity using radial mapping. This approach is therefore particularly well-suited to generating grids of gravitational forces in order to study particles moving under the field of a gravitating disk as found in various contexts (active nuclei, stellar systems, young stellar objects). Extension to non-power-law surface density profiles is straightforward through superposition. Grids can be produced upon request.
In 2D-simulations of self-gravitating gaseous discs, the potential is often computed in the framework of "softened gravity" initially designed for N-body codes. In this special context, the role of the softening length LAMBDA is twofold: i) to avoid numerical singularities in the integral representation of the potential (i.e., arising when the relative separation vanishes), and ii) to acount for stratification of matter in the direction perpendicular to the disc mid-plane. So far, most studies have considered LAMBDA as a free parameter and various values or formulae have been proposed without much mathematical justification. In this paper, we demonstrate by means of a rigorous calculus that it is possible to define LAMBDA such that the gravitational potential of a flat disc coincides at order zero with that of a geometically thin disc of the same surface density. Our prescription for LAMBDA, valid in the local, axisymmetric limit, has the required properties i) and ii). It is mainly an analytical function of the radius and disc thickness, and is sensitive to the vertical stratification. For mass density profiles considered (namely, profiles expandable over even powers of the altitude), we find that LAMBDA : i) is independant of the numerical mesh, ii) is always a fraction of the local thickness H, iii) goes through a minimum at the singularity (i.e., at null separation), and iv) is such that 0.13 < LAMBDA/H < 0.29 typically (depending on the separation and on density profile). These results should help us to improve the quality of 2D- and 3D-simulations of gaseous discs in several respects (physical realism, accuracy, and computing time).
We examine under which conditions one may apply, to steady state keplerian accretion discs, the "beta"-viscosity prescription which has been derived from rotating shear flow experiments (Richard & Zahn 1999). Using a vertically averaged model, we show that this law may be suitable for all three families of known systems: in young stellar objects, evolved binary stars and Active Galactic Nuclei discs (except in their outer gas pressure dominated regions where turbulence becomes hypersonic). According to the standard criterion for viscous stability, "beta"-discs are always stable throughout. Using realistic opacities and equation of state, we demonstrate that these discs are thermally unstable in the temperature domain where hydrogen recombines, when they are optically thick, and this could lead to limit cycle behavior. Radiation pressure dominated regions are thermally stable, in contrast with "alpha"-discs. This results in a fully stable solution for the innermost parts of AGN discs.