On a criterion for the onset of dynamical instability by a nonaxisymmetric mode of oscillation along a sequence of differentially rotating configurations

Abstract

In this paper, a variational base is derived for locating the point of onset of dynamical instability along a sequence of differentially rotating configurations. The underlying idea is to seek the conditions for the existence of quasi-stationary, nonaxisymmetric modes of deformation in frames of reference rotating with various preassigned angular velocities.