Planet Formation: Light Induced Erosion of Planetesimals and the Production of micrometer Particles
Abstract
Radiation in the visible can efficiently erode planetesimals in inner regions (< 1 AU) of protoplanetary disks [8, 3]. We found in laboratory experiments that intense optical light induces particle ejections and eruptions on dust beds. Temperature gradients within the dust bed lead to photophoretic and thermal creep forces (Knudsen compressor effects). The particle ejections work best at mbar pressures and kW/m2 light intensities - both are present in the inner parts of protoplanetary disks. Planetesimals might lose up to kg/s mass by these particle ejections. In addition, the presented ejection mechanisms produce small particles (μm). This helps to understand how dust can be observed over the entire lifetime of protoplanetary disks [1].
- Publication:
-
EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2011
- Pub Date:
- October 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011epsc.conf..198K