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Linear thermal stability analysis for the vertical structure of alpha model accretion disks

Journal Article · · Astrophys. J.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/165236· OSTI ID:6210490
The linear equations that describe the thermal stability of the convective and radiative vertical structure of an alpha model accretion disk are derived. For a specific model chosen to be representative of a dwarf nova disk, it is found that the eigenfunction for the temperature shows large excursions in the zone of partial ionization, but that the eigenfunctions for the unstable fundamental mode perturbations of the vertical distance and flux are nearly constant over the vertical extent of the disk. The growth of any instability is thus nearly homologous and the stability criteria derived for vertically averaged structures represent an adequate approximation. 12 references.
Research Organization:
Tokyo Univ., Japan; Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA; Texas Univ., Austin
OSTI ID:
6210490
Journal Information:
Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 316; ISSN ASJOA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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