Lithium depletion and rotation in main-sequence stars
Thesis/Dissertation
·
OSTI ID:5541723
The mechanism that transports surface lithium to warm inner regions of the star where it can be destroyed is not clearly understood. This study was carried out to investigate the role of rotation in the depletion of this fragile element in main-sequence stars. Theoretical calculations predict that mixing should occur when a rapidly rotating star is spun down on the main sequence. It is known that lithium depletion increases with age and, at a given age, towards later spectral types. Hence, a sample of F stars that have just evolved off the main sequence was chosen. Rotational velocities in these stars range between 100 km s{sup {minus}1} for the higher-mass stars to < 10 km s{sup {minus}1} for the lower-mass stars. Using high-resolution spectra, lithium abundances and projected rotational velocities were determined in about 200 F stars. It is found that the highly lithium-depleted stars have evolved from a narrow range of main-sequence effective temperature around 6700 K and correspond to the lithium-dip stars seen in the Hyades. The lithium abundance distribution differs in the high- and low-mass stars when binned across the rotational break.
- Research Organization:
- Texas Univ., Austin, TX (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5541723
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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