Understanding disk-driven migration of massive exoplanets

陆基和天基任务发现多颗系外行星后，最大的惊喜之一是发现了大量短周期轨道上的行星，包括非常大的类似木星的行星。理解这种轨道结构起源的关键思想之一是，它是由行星和原行星盘之间的潮汐引力耦合塑造的。尽管这一理论取得了成功，但多年来它显然无法解释行星迁移的某些方面，特别是在能够在周围圆盘中打开缺口的大质量行星制度下。尼古拉斯·西默曼论文的目标将是使用数值模拟和分析计算来突破我们对行星迁移剩余谜题的理解。他的工作将对我们理解系外行星的轨道结构如何形成和演化产生重大影响。

One of the greatest surprises following from the discoveries of multiple exoplanets by the ground- and space-based missions is the large number of planets in short-periods orbits, including very massive, Jupiter-like planets. One of the key ideas in understanding the origin of such an orbital architecture is that it has been sculpted by the tidal gravitational coupling between the planet and the protoplanetary disc. Despite the success of this theory, it has become obvious over the years that it cannot explain certain aspects of planetary migration, especially in the regime of high-mass planets capable of opening gaps in the surrounding disc. The goal of the Nicolas Cimmerman's thesis will be to use numerical simulations and analytical calculations to make a breakthrough in our understanding of the remaining puzzles of planetary migration. His work will have strong impact on our understanding of how do the orbital architectures of exoplanets form and evolve.