Viscous Accretion Research Articles

A Far-ultraviolet-detected Accretion Shock at the Star–Disk Boundary of FU Ori

FU Ori objects are the most extreme eruptive young stars known. Their 4–5 mag photometric outbursts last for decades and are attributed to a factor of up to 10,000 increase in the stellar accretion rate. The nature of the accretion disk-to-star interface in FU Ori objects has remained a mystery for decades. To date, attempts to directly observe a shock or boundary layer have been thwarted by the apparent lack of emission in excess of the accretion disk photosphere down to λ = 2300 Å. We present a new near-ultraviolet and the first high-sensitivity far-ultraviolet (FUV) spectrum of FU Ori. The FUV continuum is detected for the first time and, at λ = 1400 Å, is more than 104 times brighter than predicted by a viscous accretion disk. We interpret the excess as arising from a shock at the boundary between the disk and the stellar surface. We model the shock emission as a blackbody and find that the temperature of the shocked material is T FUV ≈ 16,000 ± 2000 K. The shock temperature corresponds to an accretion flow along the surface of the disk that reaches a velocity of 40 km s−1 at the boundary, consistent with predictions from simulations.

Analytical and Numerical Analysis of Circumbinary Disk Dynamics. I. Coplanar Systems

We present an analytical and numerical study of a system composed of a stellar binary pair and a massless, locally isothermal viscous accretion disk that is coplanar to the binary orbital plane. Analytically, we study the effect of the binary’s gravitational potential over short timescales through the stability of epicyclic orbits, and over long timescales by revisiting the concept of resonant torques. Numerically, we perform two-dimensional Newtonian simulations of the disk-binary system over a range of binary mass ratios. We find that the results of our simulations are consistent with those of previous numerical studies. We additionally show, by comparison of the analytical and numerical results, that the circumbinary gap is maintained on the orbital timescale through the driving of epicyclic instabilities, and does not depend on resonant torquing, contrary to the standard lore. While our results are applicable to any disk-binary system, we highlight the importance of this result in the search for electromagnetic and gravitational-wave signatures from supermassive black hole binaries.

Two-dimensional simulations of disks in close binaries

Context. Previous simulations of cataclysmic variables studied either the quiescence, or the outburst state in multiple dimensions or they simulated complete outburst cycles in one dimension using simplified models for the gravitational torques. Aims. We self-consistently simulate complete outburst cycles of normal and superoutbursts in cataclysmic variable systems in two dimensions. We study the effect of different α viscosity parameters, mass transfer rates, and binary mass ratios on the disk luminosities, outburst occurrence rates, and superhumps. Methods. We simulate non-isothermal, viscous accretion disks in cataclysmic variable systems using a modified version of the FARGO code with an updated equation of state and a cooling function designed to reproduce s-curve behavior. Results. Our simulations can model complete outburst cycles using the thermal tidal instability model. We find higher superhump amplitudes and stronger gravitational torques than previous studies, resulting in better agreement with observations.

An Expanding Accretion Disk and a Warm Disk Wind as Seen in the Spectral Evolution of HBC 722

We present a comprehensive analysis of the post-outburst evolution of the FU Ori object HBC 722 in optical/near-infrared (NIR) photometry and spectroscopy. Using a modified viscous accretion disk model, we fit the outburst epoch spectral energy distribution to determine the physical parameters of the disk, including Ṁacc=10−4.0M⊙ yr−1, R inner = 3.65 R ⊙, i = 79°, and a maximum disk temperature of Tmax=5700 K. We then use a decade of optical/NIR spectra to demonstrate a changing accretion rate drives the visible-range photometric variation, while the NIR shows the outer radius of the active accretion disk expands outward as the outburst progresses. We also identify the major components of the disk system: a plane-parallel disk atmosphere in Keplerian rotation and a two-part warm disk wind that is collimated near the star and wide-angle at larger radii. The wind is traced by classic wind lines, and appears as a narrow, low-velocity, deep absorption component in several atomic lines spanning the visible spectrum and in the CO 2.29 μm band. We compare the wind lines to those computed from wind models for other FU Ori systems and rapidly accreting young stellar disks and find a 4000–6000 K wind can explain the observed line profiles. Fitting the progenitor spectrum, we find M * = 0.2 M ⊙ and Ṁprogenitor=7.8×10−8M⊙yr−1 . Finally, we discuss HBC 722 relative to V960 Mon, another FU Ori object we have previously studied in detail.

Landau Tidal Damping and Major-Body Clustering in Solar and Extrasolar Subsystems

Major (exo)planetary and satellite bodies seem to concentrate at intermediate areas of the radial distributions of all the objects orbiting in each (sub)system. We show that angular-momentum transport during secular evolution of (exo)planets and satellites necessarily results in the observed intermediate accumulation of the massive objects. We quantify the ‘middle’ as the mean of mean motions (orbital angular velocities) when three or more massive objects are involved. Radial evolution of the orbits is expected to be halted when the survivors settle near mean-motion resonances and angular-momentum transfer between them ceases (gravitational Landau damping). This dynamical behavior is opposite in direction to what has been theorized for viscous and magnetized accretion disks, in which gas spreads out and away from either side of any conceivable intermediate area. We present angular momentum transfer calculations in few-body systems, and we also calculate the tidal dissipation timescales and the physical properties of the mean tidal field in planetary and satellite (sub)systems.

Early Planet Formation in Embedded Disks (eDisk). XIV. Flared Dust Distribution and Viscous Accretion Heating of the Disk around R CrA IRS 7B-a

We performed radiative transfer calculations and observing simulations to reproduce the 1.3 mm dust-continuum and C18O (2–1) images in the Class I protostar R CrA IRS7B-a, observed with the ALMA Large Program “Early Planet Formation in Embedded Disks (eDisk).” We found that a dust disk model passively heated by the central protostar cannot reproduce the observed peak brightness temperature of the 1.3 mm continuum emission (∼195 K), regardless of the assumptions about the dust opacity. Our calculation suggests that viscous accretion heating in the disk is required to reproduce the observed high brightness temperature. The observed intensity profile of the 1.3 mm dust-continuum emission along the disk minor axis is skewed toward the far side of the disk. Our modeling reveals that this asymmetric intensity distribution requires flaring of the dust along the disk vertical direction with the scale height following h/r ∼ r 0.3 as a function of radius. These results are in sharp contrast to those of Class II disks, which show geometrically flat dust distributions and lower dust temperatures. From our modeling of the C18O (2–1) emission, the outermost radius of the gas disk is estimated to be ∼80 au, which is larger than that of the dust disk (∼62 au), to reproduce the observed distribution of the C18O (2–1) emission in IRS 7B-a. Our modeling unveils a hot and thick dust disk plus a larger gas disk around one of the eDisk targets, which could be applicable to other protostellar sources in contrast to more evolved sources.

Planet formation around intermediate-mass stars

Context. The study of protoplanetary disc evolution and theories of planet formation has predominantly concentrated on solar- (and low-) mass stars since they host the majority of confirmed exoplanets. Nevertheless, the confirmation of numerous planets orbiting stars more massive than the Sun (up to ~3 M⊙) has sparked considerable interest in understanding the mechanisms involved in their formation, and thus in the evolution of their hosting protoplanetary discs. Aims. We aim to improve our knowledge of the evolution of the gaseous component of protoplanetary discs around intermediate-mass stars and to set the stage for future studies of planet formation around them. Methods. We study the long-term evolution of protoplanetary discs affected by viscous accretion and photoevaporation by X-ray and far-ultraviolet (FUV) photons from the central star around stars in the range of 1–3 M⊙, considering the effects of stellar evolution and solving the vertical structure equations of the disc. We explore the effect of different values of the viscosity parameter and the initial mass of the disc. Results. We find that the evolutionary pathway of protoplanetary disc dispersal due to photoevaporation depends on the stellar mass. Our simulations reveal four distinct evolutionary pathways for the gas component not reported before that are a consequence of stellar evolution and that likely have a substantial impact on the dust evolution, and thus on planet formation. As the stellar mass increases from one solar mass to ~1.5–2 M⊙, the evolution of the disc changes from the conventional inside-out clearing, in which X-ray photoevaporation generates inner holes, to a homogeneous disc evolution scenario where both inner and outer discs formed after a gap is opened by photoevaporation vanish over a similar timescale. As the stellar mass continues to increase, reaching ~2–3 M⊙, we identify a distinct pathway that we refer to as revenant disc evolution. In this scenario, the inner and outer discs reconnect after the gap opened. For the largest masses, we observe outside-in disc dispersal, in which the outer disc dissipates first due to a stronger FUV photoevaporation rate. Revenant disc evolution stands out as it is capable of extending the disc lifespan. Otherwise, the disc dispersal timescale decreases with increasing stellar mass except for low-viscosity discs.

Intermediate mass black hole feedback in dwarf galaxy simulations with a resolved ISM and accurate nuclear stellar dynamics

AbstractRecent observations have established that dwarf galaxies can host black holes of intermediate mass (IMBH, 100Mȯ < MIMBH ≲ 105 Mȯ). With modern numerical models, we can test the growth of IMBHs as well as their evolutionary impact on the host galaxy. Our novel subsolar-mass (0.8 solar mass) resolution simulations of dwarf galaxies (M* = 2 × 107 Mȯ) have a resolved three-phase interstellar medium and account for non-equilibrium heating, cooling, and chemistry processes. The stellar initial mass function is fully sampled between 0.08–150 Mȯ while massive stars can form HII regions and explode as resolved supernovae. The stellar dynamics around the IMBH is integrated accurately with a regularization scheme. We present a viscous accretion disk model for the IMBH with momentum, energy, and mass conserving wind feedback. We demonstrate how the IMBH can grow from accretion of the cold and warm gas phase and how the presence of the IMBH and its feedback impacts the gas phase structure.

Торможение аккреционного диска магнитным полем аккретора в приближении коротации

We analyze the process of interaction of the viscous keplerian accretion disk with the dipole magnetic field of the accretor within the corotation approximation. We estimate the radial dependence of the gaseous pressure in such non-magnetized accretion disk. We calculate the equilibrium radius at which the gaseous pressure in the disk is balanced by the pressure of the dipole magnetic field of the accreting star. We show that this radius depends on the disk viscosity and is significantly smaller than the canonical Alfvén radius realized in the process of spherical accretion.

Three-dimensional Global Simulations of Type-II Planet–Disk Interaction with a Magnetized Disk Wind. I. Magnetic Flux Concentration and Gap Properties

Giant planets embedded in protoplanetary disks (PPDs) can create annulus density gaps around their orbits in the type-II regime, potentially responsible for the ubiquity of annular substructures observed in PPDs. Although a substantial amount of works studying type-II planetary migration and gap properties have been published, they have almost exclusively all been conducted under the viscous accretion disk framework. However, recent studies have established magnetized disk winds as the primary mechanism driving disk accretion and evolution, which can coexist with turbulence from the magnetorotational instability (MRI) in the outer PPDs. We conduct a series of 3D global nonideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of type-II planet–disk interactions applicable to the outer PPDs. Our simulations properly resolve the MRI turbulence and accommodate the MHD disk wind. We found that the planet triggers the poloidal magnetic flux concentration around its orbit. The concentrated magnetic flux strongly enhances angular momentum removal in the gap, which is along the inclined poloidal field through a strong outflow emanating from the disk surface outward to the planet gap. The resulting planet-induced gap shape is more similar to an inviscid disk, while being much deeper, which can be understood from a simple inhomogeneous wind torque prescription. The corotation region is characterized by a fast trans-sonic accretion flow that is asymmetric in azimuth about the planet and lacking the horseshoe turns, and the meridional flow is weakened. The torque acting on the planet generally drives inward migration, though the migration rate can be affected by the presence of neighboring gaps through stochastic, planet-free magnetic flux concentration.

An analytical solution to measure the gas size in protoplanetary discs in the viscous self-similar scenario

ABSTRACT In order to understand which mechanism is responsible for accretion in protoplanetary discs, a robust knowledge of the observed disc radius using gas tracers such as 12CO and other CO isotopologues is pivotal. Indeed, the two main theories proposed, viscous accretion and wind-driven accretion, predict different time evolution for the disc radii. In this letter, we present an analytical solution for the evolution of the disc radii in viscously evolving protoplanetary discs using 12CO as a tracer, under the assumption that the 12CO radius is the radius where the surface density of the disc is equal to the threshold for CO photodissociation. We discuss the properties of the solution and the limits of its applicability as a simple numerical prescription to evaluate the observed disc radii of populations of discs. Our results suggest that, in addition to photodissociation, also freeze out plays an important role in setting the disc size. We find an effective reduction of the CO abundance by about two orders of magnitude at the location of CO photodissociation, which, however, should not be interpreted as the bulk abundance of CO in the disc. The use of our analytical solution will allow to compute disc sizes for large quantities of models without using expensive computational resources such as radiative transfer calculations.

Turbulence in outer protoplanetary discs: MRI or VSI?

ABSTRACT The outer protoplanetary discs (PPDs) can be subject to the magnetorotational instability (MRI) and the vertical shear instability (VSI). While both processes can drive turbulence in the disc, existing numerical simulations have studied them separately. In this paper, we conduct global 3D non-ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations for outer PPDs, with ambipolar diffusion and instantaneous cooling, and hence conductive to both instabilities. Given the range of ambipolar Elsässer numbers (Am) explored, it is found that the VSI turbulence dominates over the MRI when ambipolar diffusion is strong (Am = 0.1); the VSI and MRI can co-exist for Am = 1; and the VSI is overwhelmed by the MRI when ambipolar diffusion is weak (Am = 10). Angular momentum transport process is primarily driven by MHD winds, while viscous accretion due to MRI and/or VSI turbulence makes a moderate contribution in most cases. Spontaneous magnetic flux concentration and formation of annular substructures remain robust in strong ambipolar diffusion-dominated discs (Am ≤ 1) with the presence of the VSI. Ambipolar diffusion is the major contributor to the magnetic flux concentration phenomenon rather than advection.

Diagnosing FU Ori-like Sources: The Parameter Space of Viscously Heated Disks in the Optical and Near-infrared

FU Ori-type objects (FUors) are decades-long outbursts of accretion onto young stars that are strong enough to viscously heat disks so that the disk outshines the central star. We construct models for FUor objects by calculating emission components from a steady-state viscous accretion disk, a passively-heated dusty disk, magnetospheric accretion columns, and the stellar photosphere. We explore the parameter space of the accretion rate and stellar mass M * to investigate implications on the optical and near-infrared spectral energy distribution and spectral lines. The models are validated by fitting to multiwavelength photometry of three confirmed FUor objects, FU Ori, V883 Ori, and HBC 722, and then comparing the predicted spectra to the observed optical and infrared spectra. The brightness ratio between the viscous disk and the stellar photosphere, η, provides an important guide for identifying viscous accretion disks, with η = 1 (“transition line”) and η = 5 (“sufficient dominance line”) marking turning points in diagnostics, evaluated here in the near-infrared. These turning points indicate the emergence and complete development of FUor-characteristic strong CO absorption, weak metallic absorption, the triangular spectral continuum shape in the H band, and location in color–magnitude diagrams. Lower M * and higher imply larger η; for M * = 0.3 M ⊙, η = 1 corresponds to yr−1 and η = 5 to yr−1. The “sufficient dominance line” also coincides with the expected accretion rate where accreting material directly reaches the star. We discuss implications of the models on extinction diagnostics, FUor brightening timescales, viscous disks during initial protostellar growth, and eruptive young stellar objects associated with FUors.

Thermal conduction effects on the accretion–ejection mechanism. Outflow process investigation

ABSTRACT Astrophysical jets emanating from different systems are one of the most spectacular and enigmatic phenomena pervading the Universe. These jets are typically bipolar and span hundreds of thousands of light years, some even longer than the diameter of our Milky Way. The study of the disc–jet systems is motivated by the observed correlation between ejection and accretion signatures and is still under debate. It was shown in our previous work the crucial role of thermal conduction in the dynamics of a thin viscous resistive accretion disc orbiting a central object and was provided an unprecedented wealth of discussion that has advanced our understanding of the inflow process. In this work, we expand our exploration by addressing the most outstanding basic questions concerning the launching, acceleration, and collimation processes of the jet in presence of thermal conduction. We also tackle in depth-analysis the effects of this physical ingredient on the time evolution of temperature and on mass fluxes such as inflow and outflow rates. We performed a series of 2.5-dimensional non-relativistic time-dependent numerical calculations of a disc–jet system using the PLUTO code. Our results revealed compelling evidence that thermal conduction contributes to launching a faster and more collimated jet. The mass extracted from the disc via the outflow channel is also affected by the presence of thermal conduction in the sense that the ejection efficiency is significantly improved.

Viscous dissipative two-temperature accretion flows around black holes

Viscous dissipative two-temperature accretion flows around black holes

Construction of a pseudo-Newtonian potential for a spinning black hole embedded in quintessence background: Brief accretion studies

It is found difficult to construct a complete general relativistic theory for an accretion disc around a relativistic compact star. There exists a trend to reproduce the effects of general relativistic attraction by using a pseudo-Newtonian approach. One such pseudo-Newtonian force for a spinning black hole sitting in quintessence background is constructed in this paper. Comparison with general relativity at different parametric values is picturised thoroughly. Next, an accretion model using this newly constructed pseudo-Newtonian force is built. The radial inward speed gradient is found to be expressed as a ratio of two functions. It can be realized easily that among these two functions, the denominator might vanish for a particular value of radial speed in the interval zero to speed of light. To make the flow physical, the numerator should vanish at the same radial distance. This will ultimately generate two speed profiles starting from the particular radial distance. This is the cause of generation for accretion and wind branches. It has been followed that the disc is truncated at a finite distance due to the fact that the specific angular momentum becomes larger than the Keplerian angular momentum beyond that. Effects of the spin of the central gravitating object are followed along with the intense effect of the quintessence parameters concerned. Accretion and wind density profiles are also studied to find the density variations near the central engine. Ratio of shear viscosity to entropy density is analyzed in the presence of quintessence for viscous accretion flows.

A large population study of protoplanetary disks

Recent subarcsecond resolution surveys of the dust continuum emission from nearby protoplanetary disks show a strong correlation between the sizes and luminosities of the disks. We aim to explain the origin of the (sub-)millimeter size-luminosity relation (SLR) between the 68% effective radius (reff) of disks with their continuum luminosity (Lmm), with models of gas and dust evolution in a simple viscous accretion disk and radiative transfer calculations. We use a large grid of models (105 simulations) with and without planetary gaps, and vary the initial conditions of the key parameters. We calculate the disk continuum emission and the effective radius for all models as a function of time. By selecting those simulations that continuously follow the SLR, we can derive constraints on the input parameters of the models. We confirm previous results that models of smooth disks in the radial drift regime are compatible with the observed SLR (Lmm ∝ reff2), but only smooth disks cannot be the reality. We show that the SLR is more widely populated if planets are present. However, they tend to follow a different relation than smooth disks, potentially implying that a mixture of smooth and substructured disks are present in the observed sample. We derive a SLR (Lmm ∝ reff5/4) for disks with strong substructure. To be compatible with the SLR, models need to have an initially high disk mass (≥2.5 × 10−2 M*) and low turbulence-parameter a values (≤10−3). Furthermore, we find that the grain composition and porosity drastically affects the evolution of disks in the size-luminosity diagram where relatively compact grains that include amorphous carbon are favored. Moreover, a uniformly optically thick disk with high albedo (0.9) that follows the SLR cannot be formed from an evolutionary procedure.

Accretion onto a quintessence contaminated rotating black hole: violating the lower limit for eta over s

Viscous accretion flow around a rotating supermassive black hole sitting in a quintessence tub is studied in this article. To introduce such a dark energy contaminated black hole’s gravitational force, a new pseudo-Newtonian potential is used. This pseudo-Newtonian force can be calculated if we know the distance from the black hole’s center, spin of the black hole and equation of state of the quintessence inside which the black hole is considered to lie. This force helps us to avoid complicated nonlinearity of general relativistic field equations. Transonic, viscous, continuous and Keplerian flow is assumed to take place. Fluid speed, sonic speed profile and specific angular momentum to Keplerian angular momentum ratio are found out for different values of spin parameter and quintessence parameter. Density variation is built and tallied with observations. Shear viscosity to entropy density ratio is constructed for our model and a comparison with theoretical lower limit is done.

Evidence of Accretion Burst: The Viscously Heated Inner Disk of the Embedded Protostar IRAS 16316-1540

Abstract Outbursts of young stellar objects occur when the mass accretion rate suddenly increases. However, such outbursts are difficult to detect for deeply embedded protostars due to their thick envelope and the rarity of outbursts. The near-IR spectroscopy is a useful tool to identify ongoing outburst candidates by the characteristic absorption features that indicate a disk origin. However, without high-resolution spectroscopy, the spectra of outburst candidates can be confused with the late-type stars since they have similar spectral features. For the protostar IRAS 16316-1540, the near-IR spectrum has line equivalent widths that are consistent with M-dwarf photospheres. However, our high-resolution IGRINS spectra reveal that the absorption lines have boxy and/or double-peaked profiles, as expected from a disk and not the star. The continuum emission source is likely the hot, optically thick disk, heated by viscous accretion. The projected disk rotation velocity of 41 ± 5 km s−1 corresponds to ∼0.1 au. Based on the result, we suggest IRAS 16316-1540 as an ongoing outburst candidate. Viscous heating of disks is usually interpreted as evidence for ongoing bursts, which may be more common than previously estimated from low-resolution near-IR spectra.

Relativistic viscous accretion flow model for ULX sources: a case study for IC 342 X-1

ABSTRACT In this paper, we develop a model formalism to study the structure of a relativistic, viscous, optically thin, advective accretion flow around a rotating black hole in presence of radiative coolings. We use this model to examine the physical parameters of the ultra-luminous X-ray sources (ULXs), namely mass (MBH), spin (ak), and accretion rate (${\dot{m}}$), respectively. While doing this, we adopt a recently developed effective potential to mimic the space–time geometry around the rotating black holes. We solve the governing equations to obtain the shock-induced global accretion solutions in terms of ${\dot{m}}$ and viscosity parameter (α). Using shock properties, we compute the quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) frequency (νQPO) of the post-shock matter (equivalently post-shock corona, hereafter PSC) pragmatically, when the shock front exhibits quasi-periodic variations. We also calculate the luminosity of the entire disc for these shock solutions. Employing our results, we find that the present formalism is potentially promising to account the observed νQPO and bolometric luminosity of a well-studied ULX source IC 342 X-1. Our findings further imply that the central source of IC 342 X-1 seems to be rapidly rotating and accretes matter at super-Eddington accretion rate provided IC 342 X-1 harbours a massive stellar mass black hole ($M_{\rm BH} \lt 100 \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$) as indicated by the previous studies.