Numerical calculation of linear modes in stellar disks

Abstract

We present a method for solving the two-dimensional linearized collisionless Boltzmann equation using Fourier expansion along the orbits. It resembles very much solutions present in the literature, but it differs by the fact that everything is performed in coordinate space instead of using action-angle variables. We show that this approach, though less elegant, is both feasible and straightforward. This approach is then incorporated in a matrix method in order to calculate self-consistent modes, using a set of potential-density pairs which is obtained numerically. We investigated the stability of some unperturbed disks having an almost flat rotation curve, an exponential disk and a non-zero velocity dispersion. The influence of the velocity dispersion, halo mass and anisotropy on the stability is further discussed.