| Abstract : | The vertical structure of galaxies can be used as a probe/observable to understand different physical processes in galaxies, starting from the smallest-scale physics of star formation (gravitational instability, midplane pressure, overdensity, etc.) to the large scale dark matter distribution (e.g., the shape of the dark matter halo). However, observing/measuring the vertical density distribution of different galaxy components (e.g., stars or gas) is challenging due to the line-of-sight projection effect. Nonetheless, one can theoretically solve the joint Poisson-Boltzmann equation of hydrostatic equilibrium to calculate the vertical structure of galaxies. These solutions further can be used to constraint different physical properties of galaxies or to probe fundamental physics. In this talk, I will give a brief description of setting up and solving the multi-component Poisson-Boltzmann equation and explain how our formalism can be used to explore several critical fundamental physics related to galaxy formation and evolution. |
