title: The Fundamental Properties of Planet-Forming Disks: a Model-Data Comparison
creator: Franceschi, Riccardo
subject: ddc-520
subject: 520 Astronomy and allied sciences
description: This thesis presents a comprehensive investigation of the properties of protoplanetary disks, the birthplaces of planets. This work is motivated by the rapidly  increasing quality of observational data, which necessitates better theories and  ways to compare them with what we observe.  Firstly, we showcase how the size of the millimeter continuum emitting region  constrains disk masses. We assess the method’s efficacy by conducting detailed  dust evolution calculations and considering diverse disk properties, particularly in  disks exhibiting radial substructures.  We then constrain the disk dust grain size distribution by observing only the  largest and smallest grains within it. Merging physical dust models with radiative  transfer calculations, we compare the model outcomes with the observations of  the IM Lup disk, revealing a segregated grain size distribution and providing new  insight into grain formation mechanisms and potential triggers for planetesimal  formation.  Additionally, we characterize the inner disk of the very low-mass star 2MASSJ16053215-1933159 through atomic and molecular hydrogen lines. Using the observational capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), we measure  gas temperature, mass, and the stellar accretion rate while showcasing JWST  potential in the characterization of protoplanetary disk structures.  Lastly, we investigate the gas density and temperature across Class II protoplanetary disks in Taurus using the NOEMA instrument. Employing machine learning-enhanced chemistry and analyzing optically thin and thick CO isotopologue emission, we successfully constrain disk masses and temperatures.
date: 2023
type: Dissertation
type: info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
type: NonPeerReviewed
format: application/pdf
identifier: https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserverhttps://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/33989/1/PhD_Thesis_Franceschi_library.pdf
identifier: DOI:10.11588/heidok.00033989
identifier: urn:nbn:de:bsz:16-heidok-339897
identifier:   Franceschi, Riccardo  (2023) The Fundamental Properties of Planet-Forming Disks: a Model-Data Comparison.  [Dissertation]     
relation: https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/33989/
rights: info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
rights: http://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/help/license_urhg.html
language: eng