Predicting the linear response of self-gravitating stellar spheres and discs with LinearResponse.jl

Abstract

ABSTRACT We present LinearResponse.jl, an efficient, versatile public library written in julia to compute the linear response of self-gravitating (three-dimensional spherically symmetric) stellar spheres and (two-dimensional axisymmetric razor-thin) discs. LinearResponse.jl can scan the whole complex frequency plane, probing unstable, neutral and (weakly) damped modes. Given a potential model and a distribution function, this numerical toolbox estimates the modal frequencies as well as the shapes of individual modes. The libraries are validated against a combination of previous results for the spherical isochrone model and Mestel discs, and new simulations for the spherical Plummer model. Beyond linear response theory, the realm of applications of LinearResponse.jl also extends to the kinetic theory of self-gravitating systems through a modular interface.