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The Role of Magnetic Fields in the Protostellar Accretion Phase

Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary WorksRGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication)peer-review

Abstract

We summarize recent work addressing the role of magnetic fields in the process of star formation and disk accretion. After a short review of the basic observational results, we concentrate on the efficiency of magnetic braking during cloud collapse and its consequences on the formation of centrifugally supported disks around young stars. Then, we relate this issue to the well-known magnetic flux problem of star formation, and we show that the introduction of non-ideal MHD effects is a necessary step toward the development of self-consistent models for the collapse of molecular clouds and the formation of disks. Finally, we discuss the structure and evolution of magnetized accretion disks around young stars that have dragged their magnetic field in the phase of gravitational collapse and we focus on two main diffusive processes: viscous stresses that redistribute mass and angular momentum, and the resistive diffusion of mass across magnetic field lines.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPLASMAS IN THE LABORATORY AND IN THE UNIVERSE
Subtitle of host publicationInteractions, Patterns, and Turbulence
EditorsGiuseppe Bertin, Franca De Luca, Giuseppe Lodato, Roberto Pozzoli, Massimiliano Romé
PublisherAIP Publishing
Pages231-242
ISBN (Print)9780735407879
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2009
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Symposium "Plasmas in the Laboratory and in the Universe: Interactions, Patterns, and Turbulence" - Como, Italy
Duration: 1 Dec 20094 Dec 2009

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1242
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

ConferenceInternational Symposium "Plasmas in the Laboratory and in the Universe: Interactions, Patterns, and Turbulence"
PlaceItaly
CityComo
Period1/12/094/12/09

Research Keywords

  • accretion disks
  • magnetic fields
  • Star formation

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