scholarly journals The intermediate neutron capture process

2021 ◽  
Vol 648 ◽  
pp. A119
Author(s):  
A. Choplin ◽  
L. Siess ◽  
S. Goriely
Keyword(s):  
Convection Zone ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Elemental Distribution ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Capture Process ◽  
Thermal Pulse ◽  
Intermediate Neutron ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

Context. Results from observations report a growing number of metal-poor stars showing an abundance pattern midway between the s- and r-processes. These so-called r/s-stars raise the need for an intermediate neutron capture process (i-process), which is thought to result from the ingestion of protons in a convective helium-burning region, but whose astrophysical site is still largely debated. Aims. We investigate whether an i-process during the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase of low-metallicity low-mass stars can develop and whether it can explain the abundances of observed r/s-stars. Methods. We computed a 1 M⊙ model at [Fe/H] = −2.5 with the stellar evolution code STAREVOL, using a nuclear network of 1091 species (at maximum) coupled to the transport processes. The impact of the temporal and spatial resolutions on the resulting abundances was assessed. We also identified key elements and isotopic ratios that are specific to i-process nucleosynthesis and carried out a detailed comparison between our model and a sample of r/s-stars. Results. At the beginning of the AGB phase, during the third thermal pulse, the helium driven convection zone is able to penetrate the hydrogen-rich layers. The subsequent proton ingestion leads to a strong neutron burst with neutron densities of ∼4.3 × 1014 cm−3 at the origin of the synthesis of i-process elements. The nuclear energy released by proton burning in the helium-burning convective shell strongly affects the internal structure: the thermal pulse splits and after approximately ten years the upper part of the convection zone merges with the convective envelope. The surface carbon abundance is enhanced by more than 3 dex. This leads to an increase in the opacity, which triggers a strong mass loss and prevents any further thermal pulse. Our numerical tests indicate that the i-process elemental distribution is not strongly affected by the temporal and spatial resolution used to compute the stellar models, but typical uncertainties of ±0.3 dex on individual abundances are found. We show that specific isotopic ratios of Ba, Nd, Sm, and Eu can represent good tracers of i-process nucleosynthesis. Finally, an extended comparison with 14 selected r/s-stars show that the observed composition patterns can be well reproduced by our i-process AGB model. Conclusions. A rich i-process nucleosynthesis can take place during the early AGB phase of low-metallicity low-mass stars and explain the elemental distribution of most of the r/s-stars, but cannot account for the high level of enrichment of the giant stars in a scenario involving pollution by a former AGB companion.

scholarly journals Mixing Uncertainties in Low-Metallicity AGB Stars: The Impact on Stellar Structure and Nucleosynthesis

Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Umberto Battino ◽  
Claudia Lederer-Woods ◽  
Borbála Cseh ◽  
Pavel Denissenkov ◽  
Falk Herwig
Keyword(s):  
Stellar Structure ◽  
Process Efficiency ◽  
Agb Stars ◽  
Mixing Processes ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Convective Envelope ◽  
Capture Process ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
The Impact

The slow neutron-capture process (s-process) efficiency in low-mass AGB stars (1.5 < M/M⊙ < 3) critically depends on how mixing processes in stellar interiors are handled, which is still affected by considerable uncertainties. In this work, we compute the evolution and nucleosynthesis of low-mass AGB stars at low metallicities using the MESA stellar evolution code. The combined data set includes models with initial masses Mini/M⊙=2 and 3 for initial metallicities Z=0.001 and 0.002. The nucleosynthesis was calculated for all relevant isotopes by post-processing with the NuGrid mppnp code. Using these models, we show the impact of the uncertainties affecting the main mixing processes on heavy element nucleosynthesis, such as convection and mixing at convective boundaries. We finally compare our theoretical predictions with observed surface abundances on low-metallicity stars. We find that mixing at the interface between the He-intershell and the CO-core has a critical impact on the s-process at low metallicities, and its importance is comparable to convective boundary mixing processes under the convective envelope, which determine the formation and size of the 13C-pocket. Additionally, our results indicate that models with very low to no mixing below the He-intershell during thermal pulses, and with a 13C-pocket size of at least ∼3 × 10−4 M⊙, are strongly favored in reproducing observations. Online access to complete yield data tables is also provided.

scholarly journals Core-hydrogen-burning RSGs in the early globular clusters

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (A29B) ◽  
pp. 473-473
Author(s):  
Dorottya Szécsi ◽  
Jonathan Mackey ◽  
Norbert Langer
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Stellar Population ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Shell Formation ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Hydrogen Burning ◽  
The Core ◽  
Anomalous Surface ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Low Mass

AbstractThe first stellar generation in galactic globular clusters contained massive low-metallicity stars (Charbonnel et al. 2014). We modelled the evolution of this massive stellar population and found that such stars with masses 100-600 M⊙ evolve into cool RSGs (Szécsi et al. 2015). These RSGs spend not only the core-He-burning phase but even the last few 105 years of the core-H-burning phase on the SG branch. Due to the presence of hot massive stars in the cluster at the same time, we show that the RSG wind is trapped into photoionization confined shells (Mackey et al. 2014). We simulated the shell formation around such RSGs and find them to become gravitationally unstable (Szécsi et al. 2016). We propose a scenario in which these shells are responsible for the formation of the second generation low-mass stars in globular clusters with anomalous surface abundances.

scholarly journals Supergiants and their shells in young globular clusters

2018 ◽  
Vol 612 ◽  
pp. A55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorottya Szécsi ◽  
Jonathan Mackey ◽  
Norbert Langer
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Hydrogen Burning ◽  
Mass Budget ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Galactic Globular Clusters

Context. Anomalous surface abundances are observed in a fraction of the low-mass stars of Galactic globular clusters, that may originate from hot-hydrogen-burning products ejected by a previous generation of massive stars. Aims. We aim to present and investigate a scenario in which the second generation of polluted low-mass stars can form in shells around cool supergiant stars within a young globular cluster. Methods. Simulations of low-metallicity massive stars (Mi ~ 150−600 M⊙) show that both core-hydrogen-burning cool supergiants and hot ionizing stellar sources are expected to be present simulaneously in young globular clusters. Under these conditions, photoionization-confined shells form around the supergiants. We have simulated such a shell, investigated its stability and analysed its composition. Results. We find that the shell is gravitationally unstable on a timescale that is shorter than the lifetime of the supergiant, and the Bonnor-Ebert mass of the overdense regions is low enough to allow star formation. Since the low-mass stellar generation formed in this shell is made up of the material lost from the supergiant, its composition necessarily reflects the composition of the supergiant wind. We show that the wind contains hot-hydrogen-burning products, and that the shell-stars therefore have very similar abundance anomalies that are observed in the second generation stars of globular clusters. Considering the mass-budget required for the second generation star-formation, we offer two solutions. Either a top-heavy initial mass function is needed with an index of −1.71 to −2.07. Alternatively, we suggest the shell-stars to have a truncated mass distribution, and solve the mass budget problem by justifiably accounting for only a fraction of the first generation. Conclusions. Star-forming shells around cool supergiants could form the second generation of low-mass stars in Galactic globular clusters. Even without forming a photoionizaton-confined shell, the cool supergiant stars predicted at low-metallicity could contribute to the pollution of the interstellar medium of the cluster from which the second generation was born. Thus, the cool supergiant stars should be regarded as important contributors to the evolution of globular clusters.

scholarly journals The Mystery of CEMPs+r Stars and the Dual Core-Flash Neutron Superburst

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 322-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Lugaro ◽  
S. W. Campbell ◽  
S. E. de Mink
Keyword(s):  
Large Fraction ◽  
Convective Zone ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Observational Constraints ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Process Component ◽  
Process Elements ◽  
Dual Core

AbstractCarbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMPs+r) stars show large enhancements of elements produced both by the slow and the rapid neutron capture processes (the s and r process, respectively) and represent a relatively large fraction, 30% to 50%, of the CEMP population. Many scenarios have been proposed to explain this peculiar chemical composition and most of them involve a binary companion producing the s-process elements during its Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) phase. The problem is that none of the proposed explanations appears to be able to account for all observational constraints, hence, alternatives are needed to be put forward and investigated. In this spirit, we propose a new scenario for the formation of CEMPs+r stars based on S. W. Campbell's finding that during the ‘dual core flash’ in low-mass stars of extremely low metallicity, when protons are ingested in the He-flash convective zone, a ‘neutron superburst’ is produced. Further calculations are needed to verify if this neutron superburst could make the r-process component observed in CEMPs+r, as well as their Fe abundances. The s-process component would then be produced during the following AGB phase.

scholarly journals First discovery of trans-iron elements in a DAO-type white dwarf (BD−22°3467)

2019 ◽  
Vol 492 (1) ◽  
pp. 528-548
Author(s):  
L Löbling ◽  
M A Maney ◽  
T Rauch ◽  
P Quinet ◽  
S Gamrath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Dwarf ◽  
Convection Zone ◽  
Ultraviolet Spectrum ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Thermal Pulse ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Process Elements ◽  
First Time ◽  
Abundance Determination

ABSTRACT We have identified 484 lines of the trans-iron elements (TIEs) Zn, Ga, Ge, Se, Br, Kr, Sr, Zr, Mo, In, Te, I, Xe, and Ba, for the first time in the ultraviolet spectrum of a DAO-type white dwarf (WD), namely BD−22°3467, surrounded by the ionized nebula Abell 35. Our TIE abundance determination shows extremely high overabundances of up to 5 dex – a similar effect is already known from hot, H-deficient (DO-type) WDs. In contrast to these where a pulse-driven convection zone has enriched the photosphere with TIEs during a final thermal pulse and radiative levitation has established the extreme TIE overabundances, here the extreme TIE overabundances are exclusively driven by radiative levitation on the initial stellar metallicity. The very low mass ($0.533^{+0.040}_{-0.025}\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$) of BD−22°3467 implies that a third dredge-up with enrichment of s-process elements in the photosphere did not occur in the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) precursor.

scholarly journals The first galactic stars and chemical enrichment in the halo

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S265) ◽  
pp. 81-89
Author(s):  
Piercarlo Bonifacio
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Chemical Enrichment ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Indirect Information ◽  
The Universe

AbstractThe cosmic microwave background and the cosmic expansion can be interpreted as evidence that the Universe underwent an extremely hot and dense phase about 14 Gyr ago. The nucleosynthesis computations tell us that the Universe emerged from this state with a very simple chemical composition: H, 2H, 3He, 4He, and traces of 7Li. All other nuclei where synthesised at later times. Our stellar evolution models tell us that, if a low-mass star with this composition had been created (a “zero-metal” star) at that time, it would still be shining on the Main Sequence today. Over the last 40 years there have been many efforts to detect such primordial stars but none has so-far been found. The lowest metallicity stars known have a metal content, Z, which is of the order of 10−4Z⊙. These are also the lowest metallicity objects known in the Universe. This seems to support the theories of star formation which predict that only high mass stars could form with a primordial composition and require a minimum metallicity to allow the formation of low-mass stars. Yet, since absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, we cannot exclude the existence of such low-mass zero-metal stars, at present. If we have not found the first Galactic stars, as a by product of our searches we have found their direct descendants, stars of extremely low metallicity (Z ≤ 10−3Z⊙). The chemical composition of such stars contains indirect information on the nature of the stars responsible for the nucleosynthesis of the metals. Such a fossil record allows us a glimpse of the Galaxy at a look-back time equivalent to redshift z = 10, or larger. The last ten years have been full of exciting discoveries in this field, which I will try to review in this contribution.

scholarly journals Neutron Nucleosynthesis in a Low-Mass, Low-Metallicity AGB Star

1989 ◽  
Vol 106 ◽  
pp. 227-227
Author(s):  
David Hollowell ◽  
Icko Iben,
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Source ◽  
Stellar Evolution ◽  
Light Elements ◽  
Convective Envelope ◽  
Thermal Pulse ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Neutron Exposure ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Filtering Effect

Stellar evolution calculations confirm that semiconvection will occur below the convective envelope of a low-mass, low-metallicity AGB star, after a thermal pulse. These calculations show how semiconvection leads to the creation of a “13C layer” in the star, which can provide a potent source of neutrons (via the 13C[a, n]160 reaction) in a convective shell during later evolution. The rate at which neutrons are released is largely determined by the rate at which the 13C layer is introduced into the convective shell. The 13C neutron source maintains neutron densities of 109-1010 n/cm3 for ∼ 10 years. This provides a neutron exposure r=0.15 mb“1 during most of the pulses calculated. Because of the strong filtering effect by light elements, only 10—20% of the neutrons produced will be captured by iron-seed nuclei, each such nucleus capturing 4–5 neutrons per pulse.

Thermal Pulses in Helium Shell-Burning Stars

1972 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-106
Author(s):  
D. J. Faulkner ◽  
P. R. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Instability ◽  
The Other ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Thermal Pulse ◽  
Helium Stars ◽  
Pure Helium ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Abundance Profile ◽  
Helium Star ◽  
Thermal Pulses

In recent years there have been numerous investigations of the helium shell-burning evolution of low-mass stars, and it was in such studies that Schwarzschild and Härm and Weigert independently discovered the thermal instability phenomenon. In the case of stars with hydrogen-rich envelopes, its reality has been amply confirmed. On the other hand, studies have also been made of the shell-burning in pure helium stars (many for comparison with the nuclei of planetary nebulae), and here the situation is far less clear. Some investigators have found the instability, while others have not. Paczyński has drawn attention to the fact that in all cases where thermal pulses have been reported for pure helium stars, the helium shell-source was treated as an abundance discontinuity, while in all cases where a detailed abundance profile was used, there was no evidence of pulses. He suggests therefore that the shells in pure helium stars are stable. We wish to report a calculation for a 0.8 ɱ⊙ pure helium star, with a detailed shell abundance profile, in which a single thermal pulse was encountered at the end of the shell-burning evolution.

scholarly journals Isotopic Compositions of Ruthenium Predicted from the NuGrid Project

2022 ◽  
Vol 924 (2) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Seonho Kim ◽  
Kwang Hyun Sung ◽  
Kyujin Kwak
Keyword(s):  
Stellar Wind ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Lower Mass ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Isotopic Compositions ◽  
Carbon Abundance ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Low Mass

Abstract The isotopic compositions of ruthenium (Ru) are measured from presolar silicon carbide (SiC) grains. In a popular scenario, the presolar SiC grains formed in the outskirt of an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star, left the star as a stellar wind, and joined the presolar molecular cloud from which the solar system formed. The Ru isotopes formed inside the star, moved to the stellar surface during the AGB phase, and were locked into the SiC grains. Following this scenario, we analyze the Nucleosynthesis Grid (NuGrid) data, which provide the abundances of the Ru isotopes in the stellar wind for a set of stars in a wide range of initial masses and metallicities. We apply the C > O (carbon abundance larger than the oxygen abundance) condition, which is commonly adopted for the condition of the SiC formation in the stellar wind. The NuGrid data confirm that SiC grains do not form in the winds of massive stars. The isotopic compositions of Ru in the winds of low-mass stars can explain the measurements. We find that lower-mass stars (1.65 M ☉ and 2 M ☉) with low metallicity (Z = 0.0001) can explain most of the measured isotopic compositions of Ru. We confirm that the abundance of 99 Ru inside the presolar grain includes the contribution from the in situ decay of 99 Tc. We also verify our conclusion by comparing the isotopic compositions of Ru integrated over all the pulses with those calculated at individual pulses.

scholarly journals Presolar Graphite: Noble Gases and their Origins

2003 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 378-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachiko Amari
Keyword(s):  
Noble Gases ◽  
Noble Gas ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars ◽  
Dominant Source ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Giant Branch Stars

AbstractPresolar graphite contains a 22Ne-rich component called Ne-E(L). Noble gas studies on graphite aggregates and single grains have shown that although a dominant source of the 22Ne is 22Na, 22Ne in the He-shell of asymptotic giant branch stars have also contributed to the Ne-E(L). In addition to novae that have been considered to be a possible source of 22Na, supernovae are a likely source as well. Krypton isotopic ratios of the separates indicate that part of graphite formed in low-mass (≤3 M⊙) asymptotic giant branch stars of low metallicity (Z ≤ 0.006).

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