Protoplanetary disks around magnetised young stars with large-scale magnetic fields

Context. Describing the large-scale field topology of protoplanetary disks (PPDs) involves significant difficulties and uncertainties. The transport of the large-scale field inside the disk plays an important role in understanding its evolution. Aims. We aim to improve our understanding of the dependences that stellar magnetic fields pose on the large-scale field. We focus on the innermost disk region (≲0.1 AU), which is crucial for understanding the long-term disk evolution. Methods. We present a novel approach combining the evolution of a 1+1D hydrodynamic disk with a large-scale magnetic field consisting of a stellar dipole truncating the disk and a fossil field. The magnetic flux transport includes advection and diffusion due to laminar non-ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects, such as Ohmic and ambipolar diffusion. Due to the implicit nature of the numerical method, long-term simulations (of the order of several viscous timescales) are feasible. Results. The large-scale magnetic field topology in stationary models shows a distinct dependence on specific parameters. The innermost disk region is strongly affected by the stellar rotation period and magnetic field strength. The outer disk regions are affected by the X-ray luminosity and the fossil field. Varying the mass flow through the disk affects the large-scale disk field throughout its radial extent. Conclusions. The topology of the large-scale disk field is affected by several stellar and disk parameters. This will affect the efficiency of MHD outflows, which depend on the magnetic field topology. Such outflows might originate from the very inner disk region, the dead zone, or the outer disk. In subsequent studies, we will use these models as a starting point for conducting long-term evolution simulations of the disk and large-scale field on scales of ∼10 6 years in order to investigate the combined evolution of the disk, the magnetic field topology, and the resulting MHD outflows.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Published
2025-10-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202554871
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Astro and Planetary Science
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.15
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Protoplanetary disks around magnetised young stars with large-scale magnetic fields

Daniel Steiner, L. Gehrig, M. Güdel
1 citations
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astro and Planetary Science
1.15
article

Protoplanetary disks around magnetised young stars with large-scale magnetic fields

Daniel Steiner, L. Gehrig, M. Güdel
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Context. Describing the large-scale field topology of protoplanetary disks (PPDs) involves significant difficulties and uncertainties. The transport of the large-scale field inside the disk plays an important role in understanding its evolution. Aims. We aim to improve our understanding of the dependences that stellar magnetic fields pose on the large-scale field. We focus on the innermost disk region (≲0.1 AU), which is crucial for understanding the long-term disk evolution. Methods. We present a novel approach combining the evolution of a 1+1D hydrodynamic disk with a large-scale magnetic field consisting of a stellar dipole truncating the disk and a fossil field. The magnetic flux transport includes advection and diffusion due to laminar non-ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects, such as Ohmic and ambipolar diffusion. Due to the implicit nature of the numerical method, long-term simulations (of the order of several viscous timescales) are feasible. Results. The large-scale magnetic field topology in stationary models shows a distinct dependence on specific parameters. The innermost disk region is strongly affected by the stellar rotation period and magnetic field strength. The outer disk regions are affected by the X-ray luminosity and the fossil field. Varying the mass flow through the disk affects the large-scale disk field throughout its radial extent. Conclusions. The topology of the large-scale disk field is affected by several stellar and disk parameters. This will affect the efficiency of MHD outflows, which depend on the magnetic field topology. Such outflows might originate from the very inner disk region, the dead zone, or the outer disk. In subsequent studies, we will use these models as a starting point for conducting long-term evolution simulations of the disk and large-scale field on scales of ∼10 6 years in order to investigate the combined evolution of the disk, the magnetic field topology, and the resulting MHD outflows.

Astronomy and AstrophysicsVol. 703
University of Vienna (AT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 16%
Astro and Planetary Science
1.15
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.