Schedule Aug 17, 2007
Global Models for the Evolution of Embedded Accreting Protostellar Disk
Kaitlin Kratter (Univ. Toronto)

We use a semi-analytic, one-zone model for deeply embedded accretion disks to make observable predictions for next generation instruments such as ALMA. We include a self-consistent calculation of the disk temperature and an approximate treatment of angular momentum transport via several mechanisms, allowing us to probe non steady-state evolution of both the star and disk. For stars larger than ~1 solar mass, gravitational instabilities are the dominant transport mechanism as most of the mass accumulates, and for stars more than twice this mass, disk fragmentation is likely. We also examine the influence of turbulent angular momentum within realistic models for the collapsing pre-stellar core.

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