On the potential–density relation for Stäckel discs

The general form of the surface density of an infinitely thin disc is given that generates a Sta¨ckel potential in the disc only, using formulae for the potential of elliptic and hyperbolic strings. This is useful for problems in which a simple form for the potential is important, while the corresponding surface density need only be known to check (numerically) that it is positive. A simple potential with a positive surface density is given. Also, formulae are given to calculate the surface density of such a Sta¨ckel disc, in the case in which the rotation curve is given and all the mass is concentrated in the disc.