Dissertation
From grains to planetesimals: the microphysics of dust coagulation
Promotor: Prof.dr. A.G.G.M. Tielens, Prof.dr. C. Dominik (UvA)
- Author
- S. Krijt
- Date
- 29 April 2015
- Links
- Thesis in Leiden Repository
With over 1800 exoplanets detected, we now believe the majority of stars is orbited by one or more planets. If we want to understand the observed abundance and diversity of planetary systems, we have to understand their formation history. The first step in the planet-formation process is the collisional coagulation of microscopic dust grains into kilometer-size planetesimals (the building blocks of planetary systems). The goal of this thesis has been to achieve a better understanding of the microphysics that govern this early growth.