Stringent limits on the magnetic field strength in the disc of TW Hya: ALMA observations of CN polarisation
Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2019

Despite their importance in the star formation process, measurements of magnetic field strength in proto-planetary discs remain rare. While linear polarisation of dust and molecular lines can give insight into the magnetic field structure, only observations of the circular polarisation produced by Zeeman splitting provide a direct measurement of magnetic field strenghts. One of the most promising probes of magnetic field strengths is the paramagnetic radical CN. Here we present the first Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations of the Zeeman splitting of CN in the disc of TW Hya. The observations indicate an excellent polarisation performance of ALMA, but fail to detect significant polarisation. An analysis of eight individual CN hyperfine components as well as a stacking analysis of the strongest (non-blended) hyperfine components yields the most stringent limits obtained so far on the magnetic field strength in a proto-planetary disc. We find that the vertical component of the magnetic field vertical bar B-z vertical bar < 0.8 mG (1 sigma limit). We also provide a 1 sigma toroidal field strength limit of < 30 mG. These limits rule out some of the earlier accretion disc models, but remain consistent with the most recent detailed models with e ffi cient advection. We detect marginal linear polarisation from the dust continuum, but the almost purely toroidal geometry of the polarisation vectors implies that his is due to radiatively aligned grains.

magnetic fields

stars: individual: TW Hya

accretion, accretion disks

stars: pre-main sequence

Författare

Wouter Vlemmings

Chalmers, Rymd-, geo- och miljövetenskap, Astronomi och plasmafysik

Boy Lankhaar

Chalmers, Rymd-, geo- och miljövetenskap, Astronomi och plasmafysik

P. Cazzoletti

Max-Planck-Gesellschaft

Chiara Ceccobello

Chalmers, Rymd-, geo- och miljövetenskap, Astronomi och plasmafysik

Daria Dall` Olio

Chalmers, Rymd-, geo- och miljövetenskap, Astronomi och plasmafysik

E. F. van Dishoeck

Max-Planck-Gesellschaft

Universiteit Leiden

S. Facchini

European Southern Observatory Santiago

E. M. L. Humphreys

European Southern Observatory Santiago

Magnus V. Persson

Chalmers, Rymd-, geo- och miljövetenskap, Astronomi och plasmafysik

L. Testi

European Southern Observatory Santiago

Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)

J. P. Williams

University of Hawaii

Astronomy and Astrophysics

0004-6361 (ISSN) 1432-0746 (eISSN)

Vol. 624 L7

Ämneskategorier

Astronomi, astrofysik och kosmologi

DOI

10.1051/0004-6361/201935459

Mer information

Senast uppdaterat

2022-04-05