Astronomy and Astrophysics 336, 791-801

Paper (PostScript). Date of entry: March 3, 1998. Contact: nauta@phys.uu.nl

A high Reynolds number algorithm for polytropic accretion disk studies

Michiel D. Nauta and Gábor Tóth

Sterrenkundig Instituut, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Abstract

An algorithm is proposed to study two-dimensional vortices in thin, polytropic accretion disks. It is based on a method which has been used to study vortices in planetary atmospheres. It is special in that it conserves both energy and potential enstrophy in the absence of dissipation. This leads to desirable stability properties which permit calculations at relatively high Reynolds numbers. The algorithm is tested and compared to existing methods, in particular with a Total Variation Diminishing method.