Imaging polarimetry of protoplanetary disks: feasibility and usability

Abstract

Imaging polarimetry is one of the most promising tools to map the structure of faint protoplanetary disks. In order to assess the feasibility of imaging polarimetry of protoplanetary disks and the usability to answer the scientific questions in the field we perform numerical simulations of disks of various geometries and dust properties. We model the expected signal and detailed predictions for current and upcoming imaging polarimeters. This way we can address the question what the diagnostic value of polarimetry is for the structure of the disk and the characteristics of the grains in it.