Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Jul 1981
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1981apj...247..225p&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 1, vol. 247, July 1, 1981, p. 225-235.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
9
Late Stars, Nuclear Fusion, Planetary Nebulae, Plasma Diffusion, Stellar Evolution, Stellar Structure, Astrophysics, Steady State, Stellar Models, Stellar Winds
Scientific paper
Evolution along the asymptotic branch leads to a configuration characterized by two burning shells that are close to each other and very thin. Under these circumstances, which involve steep composition gradients, encounters between charged particles of the stellar plasma lead to diffusion. The effect of diffusion on the asymptotic branch evolution of a 6-solar-mass star model has been studied. The time scale for diffusion is comparable to the nuclear time scale in each of the burning shells (10,000 yr for the H shell and 1,000,000 yr for the He shell). A steady state develops with nuclear burning and diffusion in balance. The formation of a steady state prevents He shell flashes. In this steady state the stellar core ceases to grow. The nuclear fuel is supplied by diffusion which also carries away the burning products. The steady state prevails until the whole envelope is lost through a stellar wind.
Kovetz Attay
Prialnik Dina
Shaviv Giora
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