Global Non-ideal Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Protoplanetary Disks with Outer Truncation

Abstract

Abstract It has recently been established that the evolution of protoplanetary disks is primarily driven by magnetized disk winds, requiring a large-scale magnetic flux threading the disks. The size of such disks is expected to shrink with time, as opposed to the conventional scenario of viscous expansion. We present the first global 2D non-ideal magnetohydrodynamic simulations of protoplanetary disks that are truncated in the outer radius, aiming to understand the interaction of the disk with the interstellar environment, as well as the global evolution of the disk and magnetic flux. We find that as the system relaxes, the poloidal magnetic field threading the disk beyond the truncation radius collapses toward the midplane, leading to a rapid reconnection. This process removes a substantial amount of magnetic flux from the system and forms closed poloidal magnetic flux loops encircling the outer disk in quasi-steady state. These magnetic flux loops can drive expansion beyond the truncation radius, corresponding to substantial mass loss through a magnetized disk outflow beyond the truncation radius analogous to a combination of viscous spreading and external photoevaporation. The magnetic flux loops gradually shrink over time, the rates of which depend on the level of disk magnetization and the external environment, which eventually governs the long-term disk evolution.