DQ white-dwarf stars with low C abundance: Possible progenitors

<b>Aims.</b> The present paper focuses on the evolution of hydrogen-deficient white dwarfs with the aim of exploring the consequences of different initial envelope structures on the carbon abundances expected in helium-rich, carbon-contaminated DQ white dwarfs. In particular, the evoluti...

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Autores principales: Scóccola, Claudia Graciela, Althaus, Leandro Gabriel, Serenelli, Aldo Marcelo, Rohrmann, René, Córsico, Alejandro Hugo
Formato: Articulo
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2006
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Acceso en línea:http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/83352
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Sumario:<b>Aims.</b> The present paper focuses on the evolution of hydrogen-deficient white dwarfs with the aim of exploring the consequences of different initial envelope structures on the carbon abundances expected in helium-rich, carbon-contaminated DQ white dwarfs. In particular, the evolutionary link between the DQs with low detected carbon abundances and the PG 1159, extreme horizontal branch, and helium-rich R Coronae Borealis (RCrB) stars is explored. <b>Methods.</b> We present full evolutionary calculations that take a self-consistent treatment of element diffusion into account as well as expectations for the outer layer chemical stratification of progenitor stars upon entering the white dwarf regime. <b>Results.</b> We find that PG 1159 stars cannot be related to any DQ white dwarfs with low C abundances. Instead, we suggest that the latter could constitute the progeny of the giant, helium-rich RCrB stars.