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For a statistically homogeneous isotropic dimensionless field, write its two-point autocorrelation function of a random field as $C(r)$ andThe formal real-space scale invariance condition is $C(\lambda \mathbf{r})=C(\mathbf{r})$ for all $\lambda >0$. Changing variable $\mathbf{q}=\lambda \mathbf{k}$ in the first expression and equating the nonzero-mode Fourier transforms gives ${\lambda }^{-3}P(q/\lambda )=P(q)$, equivalently $P(\lambda k)={\lambda }^{-3}P(k)$. Taking $\lambda =k/k_0$ yieldsThus a scale-invariant inflationary power spectrum has equal variance per logarithmic wavenumber interval, rather than equal power per Fourier volume.

There is an important mathematical qualification to the literal covariance condition. A nonzero $k^{-3}$ power spectrum over all scales has $C(0)=A\int dk/k/(2{\pi }^2)$, divergent at both endpoints; it is not the covariance of a finite-variance ordinary field. Moreover, exact dilation invariance of a continuous isotropic $C(r)$ makes it constant for $r>0$ and, by continuity, at zero: its spectrum can then consist only of a zero-mode delta measure. The nontrivial cosmological statement consequently concerns nonzero modes, with cutoffs or subtraction of an unobservable constant. For example the finite subtracted covarianceis invariant under simultaneous rescaling of $r,r_0$. This is the precise infrared qualification of a scale-invariant covariance; a regulated unsubtracted $C(r)$ generally shifts by an additive constant under dilation. The formal derivation above gives the intended nonzero-mode scaling, with this qualification rather than an impossible finite-variance premise.

Apply the shearing-wave ansatz to each disturbance. Acting on its phase givesThus a spatially uniform amplitude system exists whenFor a nonzero horizontal wavenumber $k=|\mathbf{k}|$, the razor-thin disk Poisson kernel follows from $({\partial }_z^2-k^2){\tilde{\Phi }}_d^{\prime }=4\pi G{\tilde{\Sigma }}^{\prime }\delta (z)$. The potential decays above and below the sheet as ${\tilde{\Phi }}_{d,m}^{\prime }{e}^{-k|z|}$. Integrating across the midplane gives the jump $-2k{\tilde{\Phi }}_{d,m}^{\prime }=4\pi G{\tilde{\Sigma }}^{\prime }$, henceSubstitute this potential and the phase evolution into the linearized equations. The barotropic shearing-wave gravitational amplitude system isThe self-gravity sign is attractive and opposes the pressure response. The uniform $k=0$ mass density shift requires its own gravitational reference and is not obtained by dividing by $k$.

For $k_y=0$ and nonzero $k_x$, the wavenumber is constant. Continuity gives ${\dot{\tilde{\Sigma }}}^{\prime }=-i{k}_x{\Sigma }_0{\tilde{v}}_x$, and the conserved vortensity relation givesDifferentiate continuity and substitute radial momentum and this identity. The forced axisymmetric density mode with vortensity obeysThe constant forcing represents the stationary vortical or balanced component, which is lost if every mode is assumed to have nonzero frequency. Let $k_{\ast }=\pi G{\Sigma }_0/c_s^2=\kappa /(Q{c}_s)$. Completing the square givesFor $Q>1$, every nonzero radial wavenumber has positive ${\omega }_k^2$. The solution is a constant balanced offset $-2\Omega {\Sigma }_0^2{\tilde{q}}^{\prime }/{\omega }_k^2$ plus bounded sine and cosine oscillations. Pressure stabilizes short wavelengths, rotation stabilizes long wavelengths, and self-gravity is strongest at intermediate wavelengths.

For $Q<1$, the Toomre stability criterion fails in the bandThere ${\omega }_k^2<0$ and the homogeneous solutions grow or decay exponentially. The fastest rate is $s_{\max }=\kappa \sqrt{Q^{-2}-1}$ at $|k_x|=k_{\ast }$. Outside the band the modes oscillate; at its edges the frequency vanishes.

At $Q=1$, ${\omega }_k^2\ge 0$ and it vanishes only at $|k_x|=\kappa /c_s$. At that critical wavenumber,This Toomre marginal algebraic growth is spectrally marginal, not bounded for all data: a nonzero conserved vortensity gives quadratic secular growth, and even zero vortensity can allow the linear term. Other wavenumbers still oscillate about a balanced offset. $Q>1$ gives bounded axisymmetric modes, $Q<1$ allows exponential instability, and $Q=1$ has a zero-frequency marginal mode with possible algebraic growth. These statements are axisymmetric; nonaxisymmetric shearing disturbances can have transient swing behavior. For $k_x=k_y=0$, continuity instead fixes the uniform mass density shift, while the velocities execute epicyclic motion; no $1/k$ gravitational formula is used.