EIGENMODES OF A COMPRESSIBLE LIQUID-DROP

The eigenmodes of a non-viscous, compressible liquid drop are investig ated. The spectrum is shown to be derivable from two Hermitian eigenva lue problems which are weakly coupled by a non-Hermitian operator. It is shown that both eigenvalue problems admit an asymptotic, leptodermo us expansion. Their contribution to the entropy of the droplet therefo re also allows for such an expansion.