Clustering in gravitating N-body systems

Abstract

We study gravitational clustering of mass points in three dimensions with random initial positions and periodic boundary conditions (no expansion) by numerical simulations. Correlation properties are well defined in the system and a sort of thermodynamic limit can be defined for the transient regime of cluste ring. Structure formation proceeds along two paths: (i) fluid-like evolution of density perturbations at large scales and (ii) shift of the granular (non fluid) properties from small to large scales. The latter mechanism finally dominates at all scales and it is responsible for the self-similar characteristics of the clustering.