Abstract

Invited Talk - Splinter PlanetFormation

Thursday, 18 September 2025, 14:00

Modeling planet-forming substructures in protoplanetary disks with multi-fluid radiation hydrodynamics

Alex Ziampras
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich; Queen Mary University of London; Max Planck Institute of Astronomy

Recent observations of protoplanetary disks have revealed a variety of substructures, such as rings, gaps, and non-axisymmetric features, all of which are believed to play a crucial role in the process of planet formation. We explore different mechanisms that can lead to the formation of such substructures with radiation hydrodynamical simulations. Near the inner rim of the protoplanetary disk, stellar outbursts can generate multiple rings deep inside the dead zone, forming potential sites for early planet growth. Shadows cast by warped or misaligned inner disks, as well as external irradiation, can carve gap–ring patterns that can efficiently trap dust throughout the disk. Embedded planets can further sculpt the disk by driving dusty rings and vortices, seeding second-generation planet formation. We then discuss synthetic observational signatures of these substructures and assess their detectability with current facilities such as VLTI and ALMA.