Dust in Protoplanetary Disks
Abstract
Description
We critically examine the best lines of evidence for grain growth in protoplanetary disks, based on modelling of observed spectral energy distributions and images of T Tauri and Herbig Ae stars. The data are consistent with millimeter-sized grains near disk midplanes, and micron-sized grains near disk surfaces. We review three channels by which grains can grow, including direct condensation from the vapor phase, grain-grain collisional sticking, and gravitational instability. The utility of dust in identifying as yet unseen extrasolar planets is highlighted.
Invited review to Astrophysics of Dust Conference, eds. G. Clayton, B. Draine, and A. Witt, peer-reviewed and accepted
Invited review to Astrophysics of Dust Conference, eds. G. Clayton, B. Draine, and A. Witt, peer-reviewed and accepted