Abstract
The European FP7 project DIANA has performed a coherent analysis of a large set of observational data of protoplanetary disks by means of thermo-chemical disk models. The collected data ...include extinction-corrected stellar UV and X-ray input spectra (as seen by the disk), photometric fluxes, low and high resolution spectra, interferometric data, emission line fluxes, line velocity profiles and line maps, which probe the dust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the gas in these objects. We define and apply a standardized modeling procedure to fit these data by state-of-the-art modeling codes (
ProDiMo
,
MCFOST
,
MCMax
), solving continuum and line radiative transfer (RT), disk chemistry, and the heating and cooling balance for both the gas and the dust. 3D diagnostic RT tools (e.g., FLiTs) are eventually used to predict all available observations from the same disk model, the DIANA-standard model. Our aim is to determine the physical parameters of the disks, such as total gas and dust masses, the dust properties, the disk shape, and the chemical structure in these disks. We allow for up to two radial disk zones to obtain our best-fitting models that have about 20 free parameters. This approach is novel and unique in its completeness and level of consistency. It allows us to break some of the degeneracies arising from pure Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) modeling. In this paper, we present the results from pure SED fitting for 27 objects and from the all inclusive DIANA-standard models for 14 objects. Our analysis shows a number of Herbig Ae and T Tauri stars with very cold and massive outer disks which are situated at least partly in the shadow of a tall and gas-rich inner disk. The disk masses derived are often in excess to previously published values, since these disks are partially optically thick even at millimeter wavelength and so cold that they emit less than in the Rayleigh–Jeans limit. We fit most infrared to millimeter emission line fluxes within a factor better than 3, simultaneously with SED, PAH features and radial brightness profiles extracted from images at various wavelengths. However, some line fluxes may deviate by a larger factor, and sometimes we find puzzling data which the models cannot reproduce. Some of these issues are probably caused by foreground cloud absorption or object variability. Our data collection, the fitted physical disk parameters as well as the full model output are available to the community through an online database (
http://www.univie.ac.at/diana
).
We propose a set of standard assumptions for the modelling of Class II and III protoplanetary disks, which includes detailed continuum radiative transfer, thermo-chemical modelling of gas and ice, ...and line radiative transfer from optical to cm wavelengths. The first paper of this series focuses on the assumptions about the shape of the disk, the dust opacities, dust settling, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In particular, we propose new standard dust opacities for disk models, we present a simplified treatment of PAHs in radiative equilibrium which is sufficient to reproduce the PAH emission features, and we suggest using a simple yet physically justified treatment of dust settling. We propose to use line observations of robust chemical tracers of the gas, such as O, CO, and H2, as additional constraints to determine a number of key properties of the disks, such as disk shape and mass, opacities, and the dust/gas ratio, by simultaneously fitting continuum and line observations.
Context.
Near-IR observations of protoplanetary disks provide information about the properties of the inner disk. High-resolution spectra of abundant molecules such as CO can be used to determine the ...disk structure in the warm inner parts. The
v
2
∕
v
1
ro-vibrational ratio of
v
1−0
and
v
2−1
transitions has recently been observed to follow distinct trends with the CO emitting radius in a sample of TTauri and Herbig disks; these trends have empirically been interpreted as due to depletion of the inner disk from gas and dust.
Aims.
We use thermochemical disk models to explore the to interpret the trends of these CO ro-vibrational CO emission.
Methods.
We used the radiation thermochemical code ProDiMo to explore a set of previously published models with different disk properties and varying one parameter at a time: the inner radius, the dust-to-gas mass ratio, and the gas mass. In addition, we used models in which we changed the surface density power-law index, and employed a larger set of CO ro-vibrational levels that also include fluorescence from the first electronic state. We investigated these models for TTauri and Herbig star disks. Finally, we included a set of DIANA models for individual TTauri and Herbig disks that were constructed to reproduce a large set of multiwavelength observations.
Results.
This modeling exploration highlights promising parameters that may explain the observed trends in ro-vibrational CO emission. Our models with an increasing inner radius match the observed trend for TTauri disks, in which we were also able to account for the vertical spread in the data by different values for the dust-to-gas mass ratio and for the disk gas mass in different disks. Our models instead match the CO vibrational ratio observed in Herbig disks only in the case of large inner holes and cannot produce the low ratios that are measured in many disks. The models do produce an inversion in the trend, where
v
2−1
∕
v
1−0
increases and does not decrease for CO radii larger than a few au. The reason for this is that the P(4)
v
2−1
line becomes optically thin and superthermally excited. In our models, this does not require invoking UV fluorescence pumping.
Conclusions.
Our modeling explorations suggest that the observed decrease in
v
2−1
∕
v
1−0
with CO radius in TTauri disks might be a consequence of inside-out disk depletion. For the Herbig disks, a more complex inner disk structure may instead be needed to explain the observed trends in the excitation of CO emission as a function of emitting radius: disk gaps emptied of dust, partially depleted in gas, and/or possibly a disk structure with an inverted surface density profile. These structures need to be further investigated in future work.
Context. The mid-IR detection rate of water lines in disks around Herbig stars disks is about 5%, while it is around 50% for disks around T Tauri stars. The reason for this is still unclear. Aims. In ...this study, we want to find an explanation for the different detection rates between low mass and high mass pre-main-sequence stars in the mid-IR regime. Methods. We ran disk models with stellar parameters adjusted to spectral types B9 through M2, using the radiation thermo-chemical disk modelling code ProDiMo. We explored also a small parameter space around a standard disk model, considering dust-to-gas mass ratio, disk gas mass, mixing coefficient for dust settling, flaring index, dust maximum size, and size power law distribution index. We produced convolved spectra at the resolution of Spitzer, IRS, JWST MIRI, and VLT VISIR spectrographs. We applied random noise derived from typical Spitzer spectra for a direct comparison with observations. Results. The strength of the mid-IR water lines correlates directly with the luminosity of the central star. The models show that it is possible to suppress the water emission; however, current observations are not sensitive enough to detect mid-IR lines in disks for most of the explored parameters. The presence of noise in the spectra, combined with the high continuum flux (noise level is proportional to the continuum flux), is the most likely explanation for the non-detections towards Herbig stars. Conclusions. Mid-IR spectra with resolution higher than 20 000 are needed to investigate water in protoplanetary disks. Intrinsic differences in disk structure, such as inner gaps, gas-to-dust ratio, dust size and distribution, and inner disk scale height, between Herbig and T Tauri star disks are able to explain a lower water detection rate in disks around Herbig stars.
Aims. We investigate which properties of protoplanetary disks around T Tauri stars affect the physics and chemistry in the regions where mid- and far-IR water lines originate and their respective ...line fluxes. We search for diagnostics for future observations. Methods. With the code ProDiMo, we build a series of models exploring a large parameter space, computing rotational and ro-vibrational transitions of water in nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE). We select a sample of transitions in the mid-IR regime and the fundamental ortho and para water transitions in the far-IR. We investigate the chemistry and the local physical conditions in the line emitting regions. We calculate Spitzer spectra for each model and compare far-IR and mid-IR lines. In addition, we use mid-IR colors to tie the water line predictions to the dust continuum. Results. Parameters affecting the water line fluxes in disks by more than a factor of three are : the disk gas mass, the dust-to-gas mass ratio, the dust maximum grain size, interstellar medium (ISM) UV radiation field, the mixing parameter of Dubrulle settling, the disk flaring parameter, and the dust size distribution. The first four parameters affect the mid-IR lines much more than the far-IR lines. Conclusions. A key driver behind water spectroscopy is the dust opacity, which sets the location of the water line emitting region. We identify three types of parameters, including those (1) affecting global disk opacity and opacity function (maximum dust size and dust size distribution); (2) affecting global disk opacity (dust-to-gas mass ratio, Dubrulle settling, disk gas mass); and (3) not affecting disk opacity (flaring parameter, ISM UV radiation field, fraction of PAHs). Parameters, such as dust-to-gas ratio, ISM radiation field, and dust size distribution, affect the mid-IR lines more, while the far-IR transitions are more affected by the flaring index. The gas mass greatly affects lines in both regimes. Higher spectral resolution and line sensitivities, like from the James Webb Space Telescope, are needed to detect a statistically relevant sample of individual water lines to distinguish further between these types of parameters.
Context. Mid-IR water lines from protoplanetary disks around T Tauri stars have a detection rate of 50%. Models have identified multiple physical properties of disks such as dust-to-gas mass ratio, ...dust size power law distribution, disk gas mass, disk inner radius, and disk scale height as potential explanations for the current detection rate. Aims. In this study, we aim to break degeneracies through constraints obtained from observations. We search for a connection between mid-IR water line fluxes and the strength of the 10 μm silicate feature. Methods. We analyze observed water line fluxes from three blends at 15.17, 17.22 and 29.85 μm published earlier and compute the 10 μm silicate feature strength from Spitzer spectra to search for possible trends. We use a series of published ProDiMo thermo-chemical models, to explore disk dust and gas properties, and also the effects of different central stars. In addition, we produced two standard models with different dust opacity functions, and one with a parametric prescription for the dust settling. Results. Our series of models that vary properties of the grain size distribution suggest that mid-IR water emission anticorrelates with the strength of the 10 μm silicate feature. The models also show that the increasing stellar bolometric luminosity simultaneously enhance the strength of this dust feature and the water lines fluxes. No correlation is found between the observed mid-IR water lines and the 10 μm silicate strength. Two-thirds of the targets in our sample show crystalline dust features, and the disks are mainly flaring. Our sample shows the same difference in the peak strength between amorphous and crystalline silicates that was noted in earlier studies, but our models do not support this intrinsic difference in silicate peak strength. Individual properties of our models are not able to reproduce the most extreme observations, suggesting that more complex dust properties (e.g., vertically changing) are required to reproduce the strongest 10 μm silicate features. A parametrized settling prescription is able to boost the peak strength by a factor of 2 for the standard model. Water line fluxes are unrelated to the composition of the dust. The pronounced regular trends seen in the model results are washed out in the data due to the larger diversity in stellar and disk properties compared to our series of model. Conclusions. The independent nature of the water line emission and the 10 μm silicate strength found in observations, and the modeling results, leave as a possible explanation that the disks with weaker mid-IR water line fluxes are depleted in gas or enhanced in dust in the inner 10 au. In the case of gas depleted disks, settling produces very strong 10 μm silicate features with strong peak strength. Observations of larger unbiased samples with JWST/MIRI and ALMA are essential to verify this hypothesis.
Context. Consistent modeling of protoplanetary disks requires the simultaneous solution of both continuum and line radiative transfer, heating and cooling balance between dust and gas and, of course, ...chemistry. Such models depend on panchromatic observations that can provide a complete description of the physical and chemical properties and energy balance of protoplanetary systems. Along these lines, we present a homogeneous, panchromatic collection of data on a sample of 85 T Tauri and Herbig Ae objects for which data cover a range from X-rays to centimeter wavelengths. Datasets consist of photometric measurements, spectra, along with results from the data analysis such as line fluxes from atomic and molecular transitions. Additional properties resulting from modeling of the sources such as disk mass and shape parameters, dust size, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) properties are also provided for completeness. Aim. The purpose of this data collection is to provide a solid base that can enable consistent modeling of the properties of protoplanetary disks. To this end, we performed an unbiased collection of publicly available data that were combined to homogeneous datasets adopting consistent criteria. Targets were selected based on both their properties and the availability of data. Methods. Data from more than 50 different telescopes and facilities were retrieved and combined in homogeneous datasets directly from public data archives or after being extracted from more than 100 published articles. X-ray data for a subset of 56 sources represent an exception as they were reduced from scratch and are presented here for the first time. Results. Compiled datasets, along with a subset of continuum and emission-line models are stored in a dedicated database and distributed through a publicly accessible online system. All datasets contain metadata descriptors that allow us to track them back to their original resources. The graphical user interface of the online system allows the user to visually inspect individual objects but also compare between datasets and models. It also offers to the user the possibility to download any of the stored data and metadata for further processing.
Context
. The mid-infrared (MIR) emission of molecules such as H
2
O, HCN, OH, CO
2
, and C
2
H
2
, has been identified in the
Spitzer
Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) spectra of many protoplanetary ...disks. According to the modelling results, the blend strengths are affected by different disk properties such as the gas mass and dust content in the disks. An observational correlation between HCN and water blend fluxes has been noted, specifically related to a changing disk gas mass.
Aims
. We aim to find out whether the explanation for the observed flux correlation between HCN and water in the MIR could also be attributed to other properties and processes taking place in disks, such as the evolution of dust grains. We also consider what the consequences of these results would be in relation to the disk evolution.
Methods
. We used pre-existing ProDiMo radiation thermal-chemical disk models exploring a range of properties such as the disk gas mass, disk inner radius, dust size power law distribution, and, finally, time-dependent dust evolution. From these models, we computed the MIR fluxes of HCN and H
2
O blends. Simultaneously, we derived the spectral indices from the simulated spectral energy distributions (SEDs) in the
Spitzer
IRS regime. Finally, we compared these quantities with the observed data.
Results
. The MIR blend fluxes correlation between HCN and water can be explained as a consequence of dust evolution, namely, changes in the dust MIR opacity. Other disk properties, such as the disk inner radius and the disk flaring angle, can only partially cover the dynamic range of the HCN and water blend observations. At the same time, the dynamic range of the MIR SED slopes is better reproduced by the disk structure (e.g. inner radius, flaring) than by the dust evolution. Our model series do not reproduce the observed trend between continuum flux at 850 µm and the MIR HCN/H
2
O blend ratio. However, our models show that this continuum flux is not a unique indicator of disk mass and it should therefore be used jointly with complementary observational data for optimal results.
Conclusions
. The presence of an anti-correlation between MIR H
2
O blend fluxes and the MIR SED is consistent with a scenario where dust evolves in disks, producing lower opacity and stronger features in the
Spitzer
spectral regime, while the gas eventually becomes depleted at a later stage, leaving behind an inner cavity in the disk.
Context
. Consistent modeling of protoplanetary disks requires the simultaneous solution of both continuum and line radiative transfer, heating and cooling balance between dust and gas and, of ...course, chemistry. Such models depend on panchromatic observations that can provide a complete description of the physical and chemical properties and energy balance of protoplanetary systems. Along these lines, we present a homogeneous, panchromatic collection of data on a sample of 85 T Tauri and Herbig Ae objects for which data cover a range from X-rays to centimeter wavelengths. Datasets consist of photometric measurements, spectra, along with results from the data analysis such as line fluxes from atomic and molecular transitions. Additional properties resulting from modeling of the sources such as disk mass and shape parameters, dust size, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) properties are also provided for completeness.
Aim
. The purpose of this data collection is to provide a solid base that can enable consistent modeling of the properties of protoplanetary disks. To this end, we performed an unbiased collection of publicly available data that were combined to homogeneous datasets adopting consistent criteria. Targets were selected based on both their properties and the availability of data.
Methods
. Data from more than 50 different telescopes and facilities were retrieved and combined in homogeneous datasets directly from public data archives or after being extracted from more than 100 published articles. X-ray data for a subset of 56 sources represent an exception as they were reduced from scratch and are presented here for the first time.
Results
. Compiled datasets, along with a subset of continuum and emission-line models are stored in a dedicated database and distributed through a publicly accessible online system. All datasets contain metadata descriptors that allow us to track them back to their original resources. The graphical user interface of the online system allows the user to visually inspect individual objects but also compare between datasets and models. It also offers to the user the possibility to download any of the stored data and metadata for further processing.
The European FP7 project DIANA has performed a coherent analysis of a large set of observational data of protoplanetary disks by means of thermo-chemical disk models. The collected data include ...extinction-corrected stellar UV and X-ray input spectra (as seen by the disk), photometric fluxes, low and high resolution spectra, interferometric data, emission line fluxes, line velocity profiles and line maps, which probe the dust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the gas in these objects. We define and apply a standardized modeling procedure to fit these data by state-of-the-art modeling codes (ProDiMo, MCFOST, MCMax), solving continuum and line radiative transfer (RT), disk chemistry, and the heating and cooling balance for both the gas and the dust. 3D diagnostic RT tools (e.g., FLiTs) are eventually used to predict all available observations from the same disk model, the DIANA-standard model. Our aim is to determine the physical parameters of the disks, such as total gas and dust masses, the dust properties, the disk shape, and the chemical structure in these disks. We allow for up to two radial disk zones to obtain our best-fitting models that have about 20 free parameters. This approach is novel and unique in its completeness and level of consistency. It allows us to break some of the degeneracies arising from pure Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) modeling. In this paper, we present the results from pure SED fitting for 27 objects and from the all inclusive DIANA-standard models for 14 objects. Our analysis shows a number of Herbig Ae and T Tauri stars with very cold and massive outer disks which are situated at least partly in the shadow of a tall and gas-rich inner disk. The disk masses derived are often in excess to previously published values, since these disks are partially optically thick even at millimeter wavelength and so cold that they emit less than in the Rayleigh–Jeans limit. We fit most infrared to millimeter emission line fluxes within a factor better than 3, simultaneously with SED, PAH features and radial brightness profiles extracted from images at various wavelengths. However, some line fluxes may deviate by a larger factor, and sometimes we find puzzling data which the models cannot reproduce. Some of these issues are probably caused by foreground cloud absorption or object variability. Our data collection, the fitted physical disk parameters as well as the full model output are available to the community through an online database (http://www.univie.ac.at/diana).
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