Migration jumps of planets in transition disks

TL;DR

This study uses hydrodynamic simulations to explore how embedded planets can cause migration jumps in transition disks, potentially explaining observed features and high stellar accretion rates.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of 'migration jumps' caused by planet interactions and vortex formation, advancing understanding of disk-planet dynamics in transition disks.

Findings

Migration jumps occur during outward migration phases.

Outer planet migration can be triggered by vortex formation.

High stellar accretion rates are linked to outward planetary migration.

Abstract

Transition disks form a special class of protoplanetary disks that are characterized by a deficiency of disk material close to the star. In a subgroup, inner holes in these disks can stretch out to a few tens of au while there is still mass accretion onto the central star observed. We analyse the proposition that this type of wide transition disks is generated by the interaction of the disk with a system of embedded planets. We performed 2D hydrodynamics simulations of a flat disk using either a locally isothermal equation of state or considering also radiative effects. Two 3 to 9 Jupiter mass planets were embedded in the disk and their dynamical evolution due to disk-planet interaction was followed for over 100 000 years. The simulations account for mass accretion onto the star and planets. We included models with parameters geared to the system PDS 70. To assess the observability of features in our models we performed synthetic ALMA observations. For systems with a more massive inner planet there are phases where both planets migrate outward engaged in a 2:1 mean motion resonance via the Masset-Snellgrove mechanism. In sufficiently massive disks the formation of a vortex in the outer disk can trigger rapid outward migration of the outer planet where its distance increases by tens of au within a few thousand years. Later, the outer planet migrates back inwards settling again into resonance with the inner planet. We call this emerging composite phenomenon a 'migration jump'. Outward migration and the migration jumps are accompanied by a high mass accretion rate onto the star. The synthetic images reveal numerous substructures depending on the type of dynamical behaviour. Our results suggest that the outward migration of two embedded planets is a prime candidate for the explanation of the observed high stellar mass accretion rate in wide transition disks.