# Turbulence in Accretion Disks: Vorticity Generation and Angular Momentum Transport via the Global Baroclinic Instability

@article{Klahr2002TurbulenceIA,
title={Turbulence in Accretion Disks: Vorticity Generation and Angular Momentum Transport via the Global Baroclinic Instability},
author={H. Klahr and Patrick Seitzer UCOLick Observatory and C. Physics and I. F. Astrophysik and U. Tuebingen and H Germany},
journal={The Astrophysical Journal},
year={2002},
volume={582},
pages={869-892}
}
In this paper we present the global baroclinic instability as a source for vigorous turbulence leading to angular momentum transport in Keplerian accretion disks. We show by analytical considerations and three-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic simulations that, in particular, protoplanetary disks have a negative radial entropy gradient, which makes them baroclinic. Two-dimensional numerical simulations show that a baroclinic flow is unstable and produces turbulence. These findings are tested… Expand
327 Citations
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