The physical and chemical evolution of protoplanetary disks

Uma

Dr. Uma Gorti

Date & Time: 25th November 2020 : 4PM

Title: The physical and chemical evolution of protoplanetary disks

Abstract: Protoplanetary disks originate from the collapse of rotating molecular cloud cores during star formation. Disk material that remains, after the central star is built, forms planetary systems before the disk is eventually dispersed. The amount of gas present in disks dictates whether planets are rocky or gaseous, while its chemical content forms the inventory of elements that determine planetary atmospheric composition. I will describe processes that lead to the physical evolution of the disk due to accretion, photoevaporation and planet formation that lead to the dispersal of the disk in a few million years. I will also discuss recent efforts to probe the disk evolution process via chemical diagnostics at various stages, ranging from optical forbidden lines that trace mass loss from winds to sub-millimeter emission that yields information on disk dust and gas masses.