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Register a new userModeling the formation of the $^{13}$C neutron source in AGB stars
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A major source of uncertainty in AGB models is the partial-mixing process of hydrogen, required for the formation of the so-called $^{13}$C pocket. Among the attempts to derive a self-consistent treatment of this physical process, there are 2D and 3D simulations of magnetic buoyancy. The $^{13}$C pocket resulting from mixing induced by magnetic buoyancy extends over a region larger than those so far assumed, showing an almost flat $^{13}$C distribution and a negligible amount of $^{14}$N. Recently, it has been proved to be a good candidate to match the records of isotopic abundance ratios of $s$-elements in presolar SiC grains. However, up to date such a magnetic mixing has been applied in post-process calculations only, being never implemented in a stellar evolutionary code. Here we present new stellar models, performed with the 1-d hydrostatic FUNS evolutionary code, which include magnetic buoyancy. We comment the resulting $s$-process distributions and show preliminary comparisons to spectroscopic observations and pre-solar grains measurements.
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We identify three isotopic tracers that can be used to constrain the $^{13}C$-pocket and show the correlated isotopic ratios of Sr and Ba in single mainstream presolar SiC grains. These newly measured data can be explained by postprocess AGB model calculations with large $^{13}C$-pockets with a range of relatively low $^{13}C$ concentrations, which may suggest that multiple mixing processes contributed to the $^{13}C$-pocket formation in parent AGB stars.
We obtained high-resolution near-IR spectra of 45 AGB stars located in the Galactic bulge. The aim of the project is to determine key elemental abundances in these stars to help constrain the formation history of the bulge. A further aim is to link the photospheric abundances to the dust species found in the winds of the stars. Here we present a progress report of the analysis of the spectra.
The rotational spectral lines of c-C$_3$H$_2$ and two kinds of the $^{13}$C isotopic species, c-$^{13}$CCCH$_2$ ($C_{2v}$ symmetry) and c-CC$^{13}$CH$_2$ ($C_s$ symmetry) have been observed in the 1-3 mm band toward the low-mass star-forming region L1527. We have detected 7, 3, and 6 lines of c-C$_3$H$_2$, c-$^{13}$CCCH$_2$ , and c-CC$^{13}$CH$_2$, respectively, with the Nobeyama 45 m telescope, and 34, 6, and 13 lines, respectively, with the IRAM 30 m telescope, where 7, 2, and 2 transitions, respectively, are observed with the both telescopes. With these data, we have evaluated the column densities of the normal and $^{13}$C isotopic species. The [c-C$_3$H$_2$]/[c-$^{13}$CCCH$_2$] ratio is determined to be $310pm80$, while the [c-C$_3$H$_2$]/[c-CC$^{13}$CH$_2$] ratio is determined to be $61pm11$. The [c-C$_3$H$_2$]/[c-$^{13}$CCCH$_2$] and [c-C$_3$H$_2$]/[c-CC$^{13}$CH$_2$] ratios expected from the elemental $^{12}$C/$^{13}$C ratio are 60-70 and 30-35, respectively, where the latter takes into account the statistical factor of 2 for the two equivalent carbon atoms in c-C$_3$H$_2$. Hence, this observation further confirms the dilution of the $^{13}$C species in carbon-chain molecules and their related molecules, which are thought to originate from the dilution of $^{13}$C$^+$ in the gas-phase C$^+$ due to the isotope exchange reaction: $mathrm{^{13}C^++COrightarrow{}^{13}CO+C^+}$. Moreover, the abundances of the two $^{13}$C isotopic species are different from each other. The ratio of c-$mathrm{^{13}CCCH_2}$ species relative to c-$mathrm{CC^{13}CH_2}$ is determined to be $0.20pm0.05$. If $^{13}$C were randomly substituted for the three carbon atoms, the [c-$mathrm{^{13}CCCH_2}$]/[c-$mathrm{CC^{13}CH_2}$] ratio would be 0.5. Hence, the observed ratio indicates that c-$mathrm{CC^{13}CH_2}$ exists more favorably. Possible origins of the different abundances are discussed.
We observed the AGB stars S Ori, GX Mon and R Cnc with the MIDI instrument at the VLTI. We compared the data to radiative transfer models of the dust shells, where the central stellar intensity profiles were described by dust-free dynamic model atmospheres. We used Al2O3 and warm silicate grains. Our S Ori and R Cnc data could be well described by an Al2O3 dust shell alone, and our GX Mon data by a mix of an Al2O3 and a silicate shell. The best-fit parameters for S Ori and R Cnc included photospheric angular diameters Theta(Phot) of 9.7+/-1.0mas and 12.3+/-1.0mas, optical depths tau(V)(Al2O3) of 1.5+/-0.5 and 1.35+/-0.2, and inner radii R(in) of 1.9+/-0.3R(Phot) and 2.2+/-0.3R(Phot), respectively. Best-fit parameters for GX Mon were Theta(Phot)=8.7+/-1.3mas, tau(V)(Al2O3)=1.9+/-0.6, R(in)(Al2O3)=2.1+/-0.3R(Phot), tau(V)(silicate)=3.2+/-0.5, and R(in)(silicate)=4.6+/-0.2R(Phot). Our model fits constrain the chemical composition and the inner boundary radii of the dust shells, as well as the photospheric angular diameters. Our interferometric results are consistent with Al2O3 grains condensing close to the stellar surface at about 2 stellar radii, co-located with the extended atmosphere and SiO maser emission, and warm silicate grains at larger distances of about 4--5 stellar radii. We verified that the number densities of aluminum can match that of the best-fit Al2O3 dust shell near the inner dust radius in sufficiently extended atmospheres, confirming that Al2O3 grains can be seed particles for the further dust condensation. Together with literature data of the mass-loss rates, our sample is consistent with a hypothesis that stars with low mass-loss rates form primarily dust that preserves the spectral properties of Al2O3, and stars with higher mass-loss rate form dust with properties of warm silicates.
Context. The recent detection of warm H$_2$O vapor emission from the outflows of carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars challenges the current understanding of circumstellar chemistry. Two mechanisms have been invoked to explain warm H$_2$O vapor formation. In the first, periodic shocks passing through the medium immediately above the stellar surface lead to H$_2$O formation. In the second, penetration of ultraviolet interstellar radiation through a clumpy circumstellar medium leads to the formation of H$_2$O molecules in the intermediate wind. Aims. We aim to determine the properties of H$_2$O emission for a sample of 18 carbon-rich AGB stars and subsequently constrain which of the above mechanisms provides the most likely warm H$_2$O formation pathway. Methods, Results, and Conclusions. See paper.
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