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Copyright by Athena Ranice Stacy 2011 - The University of Texas at ...

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Figure 2.6: Velocity field <strong>of</strong> the central gas distribution. Sinks are denoted<br />

as in Fig. 2.5. Top : Density projection in the x-z plane after 5000 yr, shown<br />

together with the velocity field. Velocities are measured with respect to the<br />

center <strong>of</strong> mass <strong>of</strong> all n > 10 8 cm −3 particles. Bottom : Same as wh<strong>at</strong> is shown<br />

in the top panel except in the orthogonal (x-y) plane. It is evident how an<br />

ordered, nearly Keplerian velocity structure has been established within the<br />

disk.<br />

specific angular momentum within 50% <strong>of</strong> jKep, the specific angular momentum<br />

expected for a centrifugally supported disk, where jKep = vKepr. We here refer<br />

all velocities to the center <strong>of</strong> mass <strong>of</strong> the high-density (n > 10 8 cm −3 ) particles.<br />

In addition, we track the evolution <strong>of</strong> the mass in the ‘cool’ (dotted line) and<br />

‘hot’ gas phase (dashed line), corresponding to temper<strong>at</strong>ures less than 2500 K<br />

and gre<strong>at</strong>er than 2500 K, respectively. <strong>The</strong> mass <strong>of</strong> he<strong>at</strong>ed particles grows<br />

soon after the first sink is in place, whereas the cold component decreases<br />

as its mass is incorpor<strong>at</strong>ed into the sinks or becomes part <strong>of</strong> the hot phase.<br />

Eventually wh<strong>at</strong> remains <strong>of</strong> the cold component is confined to the disk itself<br />

(see bottom two rows <strong>of</strong> Fig. 2.5).<br />

<strong>The</strong> characteristics <strong>of</strong> the star-disk system in our simul<strong>at</strong>ion can be<br />

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