Particle-Trapping Eddies in Protoplanetary Accretion Disks

Computer Science

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Scientific paper

In this paper, we present a new mechanism for number density enhancement and size segregation of particles in a nonlaminar accretion disk, e.g., the solar nebula. It can be shown that, if there is a vortical flow with a rotational frequency smaller than the local orbital frequency of the disk and a rotational axis parallel to the midplane of the nebula, particles will be trapped and concentrated in the gas flow. Due to the centrifugal force, a particle can be driven out of an eddy. It will be shown that this process is inhibited by the gravitational force induced by the protostar. Candidates for such slowly circulating flows are turbulent flow features in a size range close to the integral size of the turbulence as well as huge convection cells. The efficiency of the particle concentration depends on the coupling of the particle to the gas, i.e., the friction time. On account of the mass dependence of the friction time, a given eddy becomes a trap for particles of a characteristic size and causes a local change in the dust density. We calculate the maximal dust inhomogeneity due to this process. The strongest effect was observed for millimeter-sized particles, which can be concentrated by a factor of 100 within only 100 years. Our general estimates do not depend on special turbulence or convection models. In addition, we compare the analytical estimates with the results of numerical simulations of the dust motion. The effect will have an impact on the dust coagulation process and may be a link to the size distribution of chondrules.

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