Paper detail

Extensions and applications of the iterative method

Aims: We aim to develop an algorithm for constructing equilibrium initial conditions for simulations of disk galaxies with a triaxial halo and/or a gaseous component. This will pave the way for N-body simulations of realistic disk galaxies. Methods: We use the iterative method, which we presented in a previous article. The idea of this method is very simple. It relies on constrained evolution. Results: We develop an algorithm for constructing equilibrium models of disk galaxies including a gaseous disk and a triaxial or axisymmetric halo. We discuss two test models. The first model consists of a spherical halo, a stellar disk, and an isothermal gaseous disk. The second model consists of a triaxial halo, a stellar disk, and a star-forming gaseous disk. We demonstrate that both test models are very close to equilibrium, as we had intended.