Numerical simulations of type I planetary migration in nonturbulent magnetized discs

Abstract

Using 2D MHD numerical simulations performed with two different finite difference Eulerian codes, we analyze the effect that a toroidal magnetic field has on low mass planet migration in nonturbulent protoplanetary discs. The presence of the magnetic field modifies the waves that can propagate in the disc. In agreement with a recent linear analysis (Terquem 2003), we find that two magnetic resonances develop on both sides of the planet orbit, which contribute to a significant global torque. In order to measure the torque exerted by the disc on the planet, we perform simulations in which the latter is either fixed on a circular orbit or allowed to migrate. For a 5 earth mass planet, when the ratio \beta between the square of the sound speed and that of the Alfven speed at the location of the planet is equal to 2, we find inward migration when the magnetic field B_{\phi} is uniform in the disc, reduced migration when B_{\phi} decreases as r^{-1} and outward migration when B_{\phi} decreases as r^{-2}. These results are in agreement with predictions from the linear analysis. Taken as a whole, our results confirm that even a subthermal stable field can stop inward migration of an earth--like planet.