Infrared CO emission and disks around young stars

High-resolution near-infrared spectroscopy of CO overtone emission bands has provided some of the best kinematic evidence for the existence of circumstellar disks around young stars. The CO emission flux and the detailed shape of the overtone bands are well matched by simple Keplerian disk models. A brief overview of the use of infrared CO emission as a diagnostic of the kinematics and conditions of gas in the inner disks of young stars is presented.