arXiv subjects

J. -I. Morino

Publications and source records attributed to J. -I. Morino.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

The missing cavities in the SEEDS polarized scattered light images of transitional protoplanetary disks: a generic disk model

Transitional circumstellar disks around young stellar objects have a distinctive infrared deficit around 10 microns in their Spectral Energy Distributions (SED), recently measured by the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph (IRS), suggesting dust depletion in the inner regions. These disks have been confirmed to have giant central cavities by imaging of the submillimeter (sub-mm) continuum emission using the Submillimeter Array (SMA). However, the polarized near-infrared scattered light images for most objects in a systematic IRS/SMA cross sample, obtained by HiCIAO on the Subaru telescope, show no evidence for the cavity, in clear contrast with SMA and Spitzer observations. Radiative transfer modeling indicates that many of these scattered light images are consistent with a smooth spatial distribution for micron-sized grains, with little discontinuity in the surface density of the micron-sized grains at the cavity edge. Here we present a generic disk model that can simultaneously account for the general features in IRS, SMA, and Subaru observations. Particularly, the scattered light images for this model are computed, which agree with the general trend seen in Subaru data. Decoupling between the spatial distributions of the micron-sized dust and mm-sized dust inside the cavity is suggested by the model, which, if confirmed, necessitates a mechanism, such as dust filtration, for differentiating the small and big dust in the cavity clearing process. Our model also suggests an inwardly increasing gas-to-dust-ratio in the inner disk, and different spatial distributions for the small dust inside and outside the cavity, echoing the predictions in grain coagulation and growth models.

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arXiv2011

Images of the Extended Outer Regions of the Debris Ring Around HR 4796 A

We present high-contrast images of HR 4796 A taken with Subaru/HiCIAO in H-band, resolving the debris disk in scattered light. The application of specialized angular differential imaging methods (ADI) allows us to trace the inner edge of the disk with high precision, and reveals a pair of "streamers" extending radially outwards from the ansae. Using a simple disk model with a power-law surface brightness profile, we demonstrate that the observed streamers can be understood as part of the smoothly tapered outer boundary of the debris disk, which is most visible at the ansae. Our observations are consistent with the expected result of a narrow planetesimal ring being ground up in a collisional cascade, yielding dust with a wide range of grain sizes. Radiation forces leave large grains in the ring and push smaller grains onto elliptical, or even hyperbolic trajectories. We measure and characterize the disk's surface brightness profile, and confirm the previously suspected offset of the disk's center from the star's position along the ring's major axis. Furthermore, we present first evidence for an offset along the minor axis. Such offsets are commonly viewed as signposts for the presence of unseen planets within a disk's cavity. Our images also offer new constraints on the presence of companions down to the planetary mass regime (~9 Jupiter masses at 0.5", ~3 Jupiter masses at 1").

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arXiv2011

Near-Infrared Multi-Band Photometry of the Substellar Companion GJ 758 B

GJ 758 B is a cold (~600K) companion to a Sun-like star at 29 AU projected separation, which was recently detected with high-contrast imaging. Here we present photometry of the companion in seven photometric bands from Subaru/HiCIAO, Gemini/NIRI and Keck/NIRC2, providing a rich sampling of the spectral energy distribution in the 1-5 micron wavelength range. A clear detection at 1.58 micron combined with an upper limit at 1.69 micron shows methane absorption in the atmosphere of the companion. The mass of the companion remains uncertain, but an updated age estimate indicates that the most likely mass range is ~30-40 Mjup. In addition, we present an updated astrometric analysis that imposes tighter constraints on GJ 758 B's orbit and identifies the proposed second candidate companion, "GJ 758 C", as a background star.

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arXiv2011

Direct Imaging of Fine Structures in Giant Planet Forming Regions of the Protoplanetary Disk around AB Aurigae

We report high-resolution 1.6 $\micron$ polarized intensity ($PI$) images of the circumstellar disk around the Herbig Ae star AB Aur at a radial distance of 22 AU ($0."15$) up to 554 AU (3.$"$85), which have been obtained by the high-contrast instrument HiCIAO with the dual-beam polarimetry. We revealed complicated and asymmetrical structures in the inner part ($\lesssim$140 AU) of the disk, while confirming the previously reported outer ($r$ $\gtrsim$200 AU) spiral structure. We have imaged a double ring structure at $\sim$40 and $\sim$100 AU and a ring-like gap between the two. We found a significant discrepancy of inclination angles between two rings, which may indicate that the disk of AB Aur is warped. Furthermore, we found seven dips (the typical size is $\sim$45 AU or less) within two rings as well as three prominent $PI$ peaks at $\sim$40 AU. The observed structures, including a bumpy double ring, a ring-like gap, and a warped disk in the innermost regions, provide essential information for understanding the formation mechanism of recently detected wide-orbit ($r$ $>$20 AU) planets.

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arXiv2010

Imaging of a Transitional Disk Gap in Reflected Light: Indications of Planet Formation Around the Young Solar Analog LkCa 15

We present H- and Ks-band imaging data resolving the gap in the transitional disk around LkCa 15, revealing the surrounding nebulosity. We detect sharp elliptical contours delimiting the nebulosity on the inside as well as the outside, consistent with the shape, size, ellipticity, and orientation of starlight reflected from the far-side disk wall, whereas the near-side wall is shielded from view by the disk's optically thick bulk. We note that forward-scattering of starlight on the near-side disk surface could provide an alternate interpretation of the nebulosity. In either case, this discovery provides confirmation of the disk geometry that has been proposed to explain the spectral energy distributions (SED) of such systems, comprising an optically thick outer disk with an inner truncation radius of ~46 AU enclosing a largely evacuated gap. Our data show an offset of the nebulosity contours along the major axis, likely corresponding to a physical pericenter offset of the disk gap. This reinforces the leading theory that dynamical clearing by at least one orbiting body is the cause of the gap. Based on evolutionary models, our high-contrast imagery imposes an upper limit of 21 Jupiter masses on companions at separations outside of 0.1" and of 13 Jupiter masses outside of 0.2". Thus, we find that a planetary system around LkCa 15 is the most likely explanation for the disk architecture.

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arXiv2003

A Submillimetre Imaging Polarimeter at the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope

A polarimeter has been built for use with the Submillimetre Common-User Bolometer Array (SCUBA), on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) in Hawaii. SCUBA is the first of a new generation of highly sensitive submillimetre cameras, and the UK/Japan Polarimeter adds a polarimetric imaging/photometry capability in the wavelength range 350 to 2000 microns. Early science results range from measuring the synchrotron polarization of the black hole candidate Sgr A* to mapping magnetic fields inferred from polarized dust emission in Galactic star-forming clouds. We describe the instrument design, performance, observing techniques and data reduction processes, along with an assessment of the current and future scientific capability.

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arXiv2001

Submillimeter Imaging Polarimetry of the NGC 7538 Region

Imaging polarimetry of the 0.85mm continuum emission in the NGC 7538 region, obtained with the SCUBA Polarimeter, is presented. The polarization map is interpreted in terms of thermal radiation by magnetically aligned dust grains. Two prominent cores associated with IRS 1 and IRS 11, IRS 1(SMM) and IRS 11(SMM), are found in the surface brightness map. Although these cores look similar in surface brightness, their polarization shows striking differences. In IRS 11(SMM), the polarization vectors are extremely well ordered, and the degrees of polarization are quite high with an average of ~3.9 %. In IRS 1(SMM), on the other hand, the directions of polarization vectors are locally disturbed, and the degrees of polarization are much lower than those of IRS 11(SMM). These differences suggest that small scale fluctuations of the magnetic field are more prominent in IRS 1(SMM). This can be interpreted in terms of the difference in evolutionary stage of the cores. Inside IRS 1(SMM), which seems to be at a later evolutionary stage than IRS 11(SMM), substructures such as subclumps or a cluster of infrared sources have already formed. Small scale fluctuations in the magnetic field could have developed during the formation of these substructures. The distribution of magnetic field directions derived from our polarization map agrees well with those of molecular outflows associated with IRS 1(SMM) and IRS 11(SMM). Comparisons of energy densities between the magnetic field and the outflows show that the magnetic field probably plays an important role in guiding the directions of the outflows.

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