Infrared images of protostellar accretion disks: theoretical models

Near-infrared images (1-2.2 microns) of young stellar objects, where the light distribution results from diffusion and absorption of radiation of the central stellar object by circumstellar dust, are presented. The distribution of matter is modeled as a combination of a disk, a clump, and a wind-blown cavity. Various density laws for the disk are explored, and numerical experiments are used to test the respective role of the three constituents of the model in the overall image. The essential factor that determines the aspect of the image is the degree of central condensation of the disk. 29 refs.