Hall instability of a weakly ionized, rotating disk with equilibrium pressure stratification and thermal loss

A linear stability analysis of a thin rotating Keplerian disk is presented in the framework of Hall-magnetohydrodynamics with equilibrium pressure stratification and radiative cooling. Anisotropic pressure is considered in view of a stronger axial magnetic field. The analysis is relevant in studying the stability of protoplanetary disks. It has been shown that the equilibrium pressure stratification determines the growth rate of the Hall instability. With radiative loss, the thermal modes are affected by the Hall mode and the classical instability conditions. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.