Unveiling the physical and chemical conditions in the young disk around L1527

TL;DR

This study uses ALMA observations to analyze the temperature and chemical conditions in the young, embedded disk around L1527, revealing it is warm enough to prevent CO freeze-out, which is crucial for understanding early planet formation.

Contribution

First detailed analysis of the physical and chemical structure of an embedded young disk around L1527 using multiple molecular tracers.

Findings

Disk temperature is above 20 K, preventing CO freeze-out.

Spatial distribution of CO isotopologues constrains temperature structure.

Non-detection of N2D+ supports warm disk conditions.

Abstract

Planets form in disks around young stars. The planet formation process may start when the protostar and disk are still deeply embedded within their infalling envelope. However, unlike more evolved protoplanetary disks, the physical and chemical structure of these young embedded disks are still poorly constrained. We have analyzed ALMA data for $^{13}$CO, C$^{18}$O and N$_2$D$^+$ to constrain the temperature structure, one of the critical unknowns, in the disk around L1527. The spatial distribution of $^{13}$CO and C$^{18}$O, together with the kinetic temperature derived from the optically thick $^{13}$CO emission and the non-detection of N$_2$D$^+$, suggest that this disk is warm enough ($\gtrsim$ 20 K) to prevent CO freeze-out.