Abstract

Near- to far-infrared imaging and spectroscopy of nearby (pc), low mass pre-main sequence stars that are orbited by gaseous and dusty circumstellar disks allow astronomers to probe the chemical composition and structure of protoplanetary disks, and further understand disk evolution and planet formation processes. In this dissertation, I present an infrared imaging and spectral analysis of the young star-disk systems V4046 Sgr, T Cha and MP Mus. V4046 Sgr is a nearby (D~73 pc), ~20 Myr-old spectroscopic binary surrounded by a large (R~350 AU) circumbinary disk. T Cha and MP Mus are similarly nearby (Dpc) and young (old) single-star systems orbited by relatively gas-rich circumstellar disks. Both V4046 Sgr and T Cha display evidence for recent or ongoing planet formation in the form of large inner disk holes detected via submm imaging. Spitzer and Herschel spectroscopy of V4046 Sgr reveals emission from atomic and molecular species (e.g., [Ne II], [O I], OH) suggesting that high-energy photons from the central stars are driving the disk chemistry. Modeling of the Spitzer spectra reveals the presence of large (um-sized) dust grains and a high crystallinity fraction, signifying that grain growth and planet formation may be occurring within the inner disk hole. Analysis of the Spitzer and Herschel spectra of T Cha and MP Mus reveal that MP Mus shows emission from [O I] and has a high mass fraction of crystalline dust, whereas T Cha shows emission from [Ne II] and has a low crystallinity fraction. Polarimetric/coronagraphic imaging of V4046 Sgr at near-infrared wavelengths with the new Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) traces starlight scattered off small (

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Protoplanetary disks; Planets--Origin

Publication Date

7-2015

Document Type

Dissertation

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Astrophysical Sciences and Technology (Ph.D.)

Department, Program, or Center

School of Physics and Astronomy (COS)

Advisor

Joel Kastner

Advisor/Committee Member

Joshua Faber

Advisor/Committee Member

Dan Watson

Comments

Physical copy available from RIT's Wallace Library at QB466.A25 R37 2015

2016 Outstanding PhD Dissertation Award Honorable Mention

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

ASTP-PHD

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