Colloquium: The Evolving ALMA Perspective on the Chemistry and Physics of Planet-Forming Disks
The Atacama Large Millimeter Array has been in operation for several years providing resolved images of protoplanetary, or planet-forming, disks in both molecular and dust thermal continuum emission. These observations have provided some compelling information. In particular, the striking gaps and emission rings seen in the mm dust continuum images along with, in limited instances, the presence of localized features in velocity structure traced by molecular emission images. Both have been posited as related to the presence of hidden gas-rich planets. Alongside our gains in knowledge of the physical structure there are advances in our understanding of the evolving chemical composition. I will summarize our understanding of this linked physical and chemical structure which appears to hint at direct connections between the dust evolution and the evolving composition. From the chemical perspective, we might be observing an end stage chemistry which removes carbon and oxygen leaving gas with elevated C/O ratios. This will ultimately set the stage for comparisons with exoplanet atmospheric composition. If time allows I will discuss a re-evaluation of the Spitzer legacy of molecular emission from the inner few au of disk systems with implications for JWST.
recording: www.youtube.com/watch