Photoevaporation of Viscously Evolving Circumstellar Disks by FUV, EUV and X-ray Radiation from the Central Star
First Author:
Uma Gorti
Email: uma.gorti-1 AT nasa.gov
NASA Ames/SETI Institute
NASA Ames Research Center, MS 245-3
Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
Coauthors:
Dullemond, Cornelius, MPIA, Germany
Hollenbach, David, SETI Institute
Abstract
We present theoretical models of the photoevaporation of disks by high energy radiation (FUV, UV and X-rays) from the central star, and include the effects of viscous evolution. Our models consider gas heating and cooling in a viscously evolving disk and solve for the gas temperature and flow hydrodnamics in a simple 1D analysis. We find that the FUV and optical photons from the star are responsible for removing most of the mass of the disk from the outer edge, whereas EUV and X-rays dominate the inner disk evolution. Gaps may be created in the disks under favourable condtions, and can thus affect any ongoing planet formation. We derive disk lifetimes due to photoevaporation and viscous evolution and discuss the implications on planet formation and disk evolution.
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