Paper:	Instabilities in Circumstellar Discs
Volume:	160, Astrophysical Discs: An EC Summer School
Page:	122
Authors:	Gammie, Charles F.
Abstract:	I review recent developments in angular momentum transport theory and explore their consequences for the evolution of circumstellar discs. Of greatest relevance are linear theory and numerical experiments which show that angular momentum transport by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence can be shut off by Ohmic diffusion. Since resistivity increases sharply below 10^3 {K} due to recombination of the alkali metals, there is the possibility of unstable accretion in discs with temperature close to this critical value. Illustrative models exhibit such instabilities and produce episodes of enhanced accretion similar to FU Orionis outbursts.

Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Conference Series

© Copyright 1988 - 2024 - Astronomical Society of the Pacific
No part of the material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or used in any form other than for personal use without written permission from the ASP.

Page generated in 0.085 seconds