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Polarization Holes as an Indicator of Magnetic Field−Angular Momentum Alignment. I. Initial Tests
oleh: Lijun Wang, Zhuo Cao, Xiaodan Fan, Hua-bai Li
Format: | Article |
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Diterbitkan: | IOP Publishing 2024-01-01 |
Deskripsi
The formation of protostellar disks is still a mystery, largely due to the difficulties in observations that can constrain theories. For example, the 3D alignment between the rotation of the disk and the magnetic fields (B-fields) in the formation environment is critical in some models, but so far it is impossible to observe. Here we study the possibility of probing the alignment between B-field and disk rotation using “polarization holes” (PHs). PHs are widely observed and are caused by unresolved B-field structures. With ideal magnetohydrodynamic simulations, we demonstrate that different initial alignments between B-field and angular momentum (AM) can result in B-field structures that are distinct enough to produce distinguishable PHs. Thus, PHs can potentially serve as probes for alignments between B-field and AM in disk formation.