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Numerical Method

We discuss here results of hydrodynamic models of SVP mass outflow which may lead to the formation of planetary systems. We used a version of the smoothed particle hydrodynamic (SPH) method[15] which incorporates the pulsar radiation pressure in addition to gravitational and pressure forces[7]. We followed the computational method of [7], and the material is assumed to be optically thick to pulsar electromagnetic radiation except for the leading mass particles which are the closest to the pulsar. We have considered several models characterized by different masses and orbital distances of the companion star as well as different mass loss rates , thermal and kinematic properties of the mass outflow, and pulsar luminosities. We present here a selected sample of our results relevant to the mechanism of planetary formation.

Results of a two-dimensional calculation of the outflow can be applied to the material that resides near the orbital plane. A comprehensive three-dimensional hydrodynamic calculation of the outflow at large radial distances is not currently feasible. Our preliminary three-dimensional SPH models up to distances comparable with the orbital radius suggest, however, that a small fraction of the outflowing material may be recaptured or reside in the orbital plane for a variety of initial conditions. Recent observations[16] with the Very Large Array suggest that this is the case for PSR1957+20.



Leigh Brookshaw
Thu May 25 10:08:02 PDT 1995