We investigate the physical properties and spatial distribution of Carbon
Monoxide (CO) gas in the disks around the Herbig Ae/Be stars HD 97048 and HD
100546.
Using high-spectral-resolution 4.588-4.715 μm spectra containing
fundamental CO emission taken with CRIRES on the VLT, we probe the
circumstellar gas and model the kinematics of the emission lines. By using
spectro-astrometry on the spatially resolved targets, we constrain the physical
size of the emitting regions in the disks. We resolve, spectrally and
spatially, the emission of the 13CO v(1-0) vibrational band and the
12CO v=1−0,v=2−1,v=3−2 and v=4−3 vibrational bands in both targets,
as well as the 12CO v=5−4 band in HD 100546. Modeling of the CO emission
with a homogeneous disk in Keplerian motion, yields a best fit with an inner
and outer radius of the CO emitting region of 11 and ≥ 100 AU for HD
97048. HD 100546 is not fit well with our model, but we derive a lower limit on
the inner radius of 8 AU. The fact that gaseous [OI] emission was previously
detected in both targets at significantly smaller radii suggests that CO may be
effectively destroyed at small radii in the surface layers of these disksComment: v2: Letter format has been changed to Paper format; Change in the
focus of the paper towards CO depletion; Major changes in text; Change of
title. Submitted to A&A, 14/10/2008. Accepted by A&A, 17/04/200