Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Mar 1992
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992apj...387..662x&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 387, March 10, 1992, p. 662-672.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
15
Carbon, Iron, Phase Separation (Materials), Stellar Cores, White Dwarf Stars, Abundance, Azeotropes, Equations Of State, Phase Diagrams
Scientific paper
The energy release associated with the phase separation of Fe from C in a predominantly C white dwarf is calculated. The total gravitational-plus-internal energy differences between models of homogeneous compositions and those wth Fe-enriched cores are computed. In the unlikely case where the core is pure Fe, a substantial extension of the white dwarf cooling times is found, even with the small cosmic abundance of this element. For the more realistic core compositions that result if the Fe/C phase diagram is either of the spindle or of the azeotropic type, the energy release is still sufficient to prolong the cooling times by about 0.6 Gyr, comparable to that produced by C/O phase separation. Phase separation is found to produce an appreciable 'bump' in the luminosity function, although not one large enough to exceed the observational errors at low luminosities.
Van Horn Hugh M.
Xu Zheng-Wen
No associations
LandOfFree
Effects of Fe/C phase separation on the ages of white dwarfs does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Effects of Fe/C phase separation on the ages of white dwarfs, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Effects of Fe/C phase separation on the ages of white dwarfs will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1215259