@article{KrtičkaFeldmeier2021,
  author    = {Krtička, Jiř{\´i} and Feldmeier, Achim},
  title     = {Stochastic light variations in hot stars from wind instability},
  series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal / European Southern Observatory (ESO)},
  volume    = {648},
  journal   = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal / European Southern Observatory (ESO)},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {1432-0746},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/202040148},
  pages     = {9},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Context Line-driven wind instability is expected to cause small-scale wind inhomogeneities, X-ray emission, and wind line profile variability. The instability can already develop around the sonic point if it is initiated close to the photosphere due to stochastic turbulent motions. In such cases, it may leave its imprint on the light curve as a result of wind blanketing. Aims We study the photometric signatures of the line-driven wind instability. Methods We used line-driven wind instability simulations to determine the wind variability close to the star. We applied two types of boundary perturbations: a sinusoidal one that enables us to study in detail the development of the instability and a stochastic one given by a Langevin process that provides a more realistic boundary perturbation. We estimated the photometric variability from the resulting mass-flux variations. The variability was simulated assuming that the wind consists of a large number of independent conical wind sectors. We compared the simulated light curves with TESS light curves of OB stars that show stochastic variability. Results We find two typical signatures of line-driven wind instability in photometric data: a knee in the power spectrum of magnitude fluctuations, which appears due to engulfment of small-scale structure by larger structures, and a negative skewness of the distribution of fluctuations, which is the result of spatial dominance of rarefied regions. These features endure even when combining the light curves from independent wind sectors. Conclusions The stochastic photometric variability of OB stars bears certain signatures of the line-driven wind instability. The distribution function of observed photometric data shows negative skewness and the power spectra of a fraction of light curves exhibit a knee. This can be explained as a result of the line-driven wind instability triggered by stochastic base perturbations.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{VosBobrickVuckovic2020,
  author    = {Vos, Joris and Bobrick, Alexey and Vuckovic, Maja},
  title     = {Observed binary populations reflect the Galactic history},
  series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal / European Southern Observatory (ESO)},
  volume    = {641},
  journal   = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal / European Southern Observatory (ESO)},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {1432-0746},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/201937195},
  pages     = {19},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Context. Wide hot subdwarf B (sdB) binaries with main-sequence companions are outcomes of stable mass transfer from evolved red giants. The orbits of these binaries show a strong correlation between their orbital periods and mass ratios. The origins of this correlation have, so far, been lacking a conclusive explanation. Aims. We aim to find a binary evolution model which can explain the observed correlation. Methods. Radii of evolved red giants, and hence the resulting orbital periods, strongly depend on their metallicity. We performed a small but statistically significant binary population synthesis study with the binary stellar evolution code MESA. We used a standard model for binary mass loss and a standard metallicity history of the Galaxy. The resulting sdB systems were selected based on the same criteria as was used in observations and then compared with the observed population. Results. We have achieved an excellent match to the observed period-mass ratio correlation without explicitly fine-tuning any parameters. Furthermore, our models produce a very good match to the observed period-metallicity correlation. We predict several new correlations, which link the observed sdB binaries to their progenitors, and a correlation between the orbital period, metallicity, and core mass for subdwarfs and young low-mass helium white dwarfs. We also predict that sdB binaries have distinct orbital properties depending on whether they formed in the Galactic bulge, thin or thick disc, or the halo. Conclusions We demonstrate, for the first time, how the metallicity history of the Milky Way is imprinted in the properties of the observed post-mass transfer binaries. We show that Galactic chemical evolution is an important factor in binary population studies of interacting systems containing at least one evolved low-mass (M-init< 1.6 M-circle dot) component. Finally, we provide an observationally supported model of mass transfer from low-mass red giants onto main-sequence stars.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SanderVinkHamann2019,
  author    = {Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Vink, Jorick S. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer},
  title     = {Driving classical Wolf-Rayet winds},
  series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society},
  volume    = {491},
  journal   = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society},
  number    = {3},
  publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press},
  address   = {Oxford},
  issn      = {0035-8711},
  doi       = {10.1093/mnras/stz3064},
  pages     = {4406 -- 4425},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Classical Wolf-Rayet (cWR) stars are at a crucial evolutionary stage for constraining the fates of massive stars. The feedback of these hot, hydrogen-depleted stars dominates their surrounding by tremendous injections of ionizing radiation and kinetic energy. The strength of a Wolf-Rayet (WR) wind decides the eventual mass of its remnant, likely a massive black hole. However, despite their major influence and importance for gravitational wave detection statistics, WR winds are particularly poorly understood. In this paper, we introduce the first set of hydrodynamically consistent stellar atmosphere models for cWR stars of both the carbon (C) and the nitrogen (N) sequence, i.e. WC and WN stars, as a function of stellar luminosity-to-mass ratio (or Eddington Gamma) and metallicity. We demonstrate the inapplicability of the CAK wind theory for cWR stars and confirm earlier findings that their winds are launched at the (hot) iron (Fe) opacity peak. For log Z/Z(circle dot) > -2, Fe is also the main accelerator throughout the wind. Contrasting previous claims of a sharp lower mass-loss limit forWR stars, we obtain a smooth transition to optically thin winds. Furthermore, we find a strong dependence of the mass-loss rates on Eddington Gamma, both at solar and subsolar metallicity. Increases inWCcarbon and oxygen abundances turn out to slightly reduce the predicted mass-loss rates. Calculations at subsolar metallicities indicate that below the metallicity of the Small Magellanic Cloud, WR mass-loss rates decrease much faster than previously assumed, potentially allowing for high black hole masses even in the local Universe.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{RamachandranHainichHamannetal.2017,
  author    = {Ramachandran, Varsha and Hainich, Rainer and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Oskinova, Lida and Shenar, T. and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Todt, Helge Tobias and Gallagher, John S.},
  title     = {Stellar population of the superbubble N206 in the LMC I. Analysis of the Of-type stars},
  series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  volume    = {609},
  journal   = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {1432-0746},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/201731093},
  pages     = {26},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Context. Massive stars severely influence their environment by their strong ionizing radiation and by the momentum and kinetic energy input provided by their stellar winds and supernovae. Quantitative analyses of massive stars are required to understand how their feedback creates and shapes large scale structures of the interstellar medium. The giant H II region N206 in the Large Magellanic Cloud contains an OB association that powers a superbubble filled with hot X-ray emitting gas, serving as an ideal laboratory in this context. Aims. We aim to estimate stellar and wind parameters of all OB stars in N206 by means of quantitative spectroscopic analyses. In this first paper, we focus on the nine Of-type stars located in this region. We determine their ionizing flux and wind mechanical energy. The analysis of nitrogen abundances in our sample probes rotational mixing. Methods. We obtained optical spectra with the multi-object spectrograph FLAMES at the ESO-VLT. When possible, the optical spectroscopy was complemented by UV spectra from the HST, IUE, and FUSE archives. Detailed spectral classifications are presented for our sample Of-type stars. For the quantitative spectroscopic analysis we used the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet model atmosphere code. We determined the physical parameters and nitrogen abundances of our sample stars by fitting synthetic spectra to the observations. Results. The stellar and wind parameters of nine Of-type stars, which are largely derived from spectral analysis are used to construct wind momentum luminosity relationship. We find that our sample follows a relation close to the theoretical prediction, assuming clumped winds. The most massive star in the N206 association is an Of supergiant that has a very high mass-loss rate. Two objects in our sample reveal composite spectra, showing that the Of primaries have companions of late O subtype. All stars in our sample have an evolutionary age of less than 4 million yr, with the O2-type star being the youngest. All these stars show a systematic discrepancy between evolutionary and spectroscopic masses. All stars in our sample are nitrogen enriched. Nitrogen enrichment shows a clear correlation with increasing projected rotational velocities. Conclusions. The mechanical energy input from the Of stars alone is comparable to the energy stored in the N206 superbubble as measured from the observed X-ray and H alpha emission.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ShenarOskinovaJaervinenetal.2017,
  author    = {Shenar, Tomer and Oskinova, Lida and Jaervinen, S. P. and Luckas, P. and Hainich, Rainer and Todt, Helge Tobias and Hubrig, Swetlana and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Ilyin, Ilya and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer},
  title     = {Constraining the weak-wind problem},
  series = {Contributions Of The Astronomical Observatory Skalnate Pleso},
  volume    = {48},
  journal   = {Contributions Of The Astronomical Observatory Skalnate Pleso},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {Astronomick{\´y} {\´U}stav SAV},
  address   = {Tatransk{\´a} Lomnica},
  issn      = {1335-1842},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/201731291},
  pages     = {139 -- 143},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Mass-loss rates of massive, late type main sequence stars are much weaker than currently predicted, but their true values are very difficult to measure. We suggest that confined stellar winds of magnetic stars can be exploited to constrain the true mass-loss rates M of massive main sequence stars. We acquired UV, X-ray, and optical amateur data of HD 54879 (09.7 V), one of a few O-type stars with a detected atmospheric magnetic field (B-d greater than or similar to 2 kG). We analyze these data with the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) and XSPEC codes. We can roughly estimate the mass-loss rate the star would have in the absence of a magnetic field as log M-B=0 approximate to -9.0 M-circle dot yr(-1). Since the wind is partially trapped within the Alfven radius rA greater than or similar to 12 R-*,, the true mass-loss rate of HD 54879 is log M less than or similar to -10.2 M-circle dot yr(-1). Moreover, we find that the microturbulent, macroturbulent, and projected rotational velocities are lower than previously suggested (< 4 km s(-1)). An initial mass of 16 M-circle dot and an age of 5 Myr are inferred. We derive a mean X-ray emitting temperature of log T-x = 6.7 K and an X-ray luminosity of log L-x = 32 erg s(-1). The latter implies a significant X-ray excess (log L-x/L-Bol approximate to - 6.0), most likely stemming from collisions at the magnetic equator. A tentative period of P approximate to 5 yr is derived from variability of the Ha line. Our study confirms that strongly magnetized stars lose little or no mass, and supplies important constraints on the weak-wind problem of massive main sequence stars.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HainichOskinovaShenaretal.2018,
  author    = {Hainich, Rainer and Oskinova, Lida and Shenar, Tomer and Marchant Campos, Pablo and Eldridge, J. J. and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Langer, Norbert and Todt, Helge Tobias},
  title     = {Observational properties of massive black hole binary progenitors},
  series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  volume    = {609},
  journal   = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {1432-0746},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/201731449},
  pages     = {62},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Context: The first directly detected gravitational waves (GW 150914) were emitted by two coalescing black holes (BHs) with masses of ≈ 36 M⊙ and ≈ 29 M⊙. Several scenarios have been proposed to put this detection into an astrophysical context. The evolution of an isolated massive binary system is among commonly considered models. Aims: Various groups have performed detailed binary-evolution calculations that lead to BH merger events. However, the question remains open as to whether binary systems with the predicted properties really exist. The aim of this paper is to help observers to close this gap by providing spectral characteristics of massive binary BH progenitors during a phase where at least one of the companions is still non-degenerate. Methods: Stellar evolution models predict fundamental stellar parameters. Using these as input for our stellar atmosphere code (Potsdam Wolf-Rayet), we compute a set of models for selected evolutionary stages of massive merging BH progenitors at different metallicities. Results: The synthetic spectra obtained from our atmosphere calculations reveal that progenitors of massive BH merger events start their lives as O2-3V stars that evolve to early-type blue supergiants before they undergo core-collapse during the Wolf-Rayet phase. When the primary has collapsed, the remaining system will appear as a wind-fed high-mass X-ray binary. Based on our atmosphere models, we provide feedback parameters, broad band magnitudes, and spectral templates that should help to identify such binaries in the future. Conclusions: While the predicted parameter space for massive BH binary progenitors is partly realized in nature, none of the known massive binaries match our synthetic spectra of massive BH binary progenitors exactly. Comparisons of empirically determined mass-loss rates with those assumed by evolution calculations reveal significant differences. The consideration of the empirical mass-loss rates in evolution calculations will possibly entail a shift of the maximum in the predicted binary-BH merger rate to higher metallicities, that is, more candidates should be expected in our cosmic neighborhood than previously assumed.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SanderFuerstKretschmaretal.2018,
  author    = {Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and F{\"u}rst, F. and Kretschmar, P. and Oskinova, Lida and Todt, Helge Tobias and Hainich, Rainer and Shenar, Tomer and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer},
  title     = {Coupling hydrodynamics with comoving frame radiative transfer},
  series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  volume    = {610},
  journal   = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {1432-0746},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/201731575},
  pages     = {19},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Aims. To gain a realistic picture of the donor star in Vela X-1, we constructed a hydrodynamically consistent atmosphere model describing the wind stratification while properly reproducing the observed donor spectrum. To investigate how X-ray illumination affects the stellar wind, we calculated additional models for different X-ray luminosity regimes. Methods. We used the recently updated version of the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet code to consistently solve the hydrodynamic equation together with the statistical equations and the radiative transfer. Results. The wind flow in Vela X-1 is driven by ions from various elements, with Fe III and S III leading in the outer wind. The model-predicted mass-loss rate is in line with earlier empirical studies. The mass-loss rate is almost unaffected by the presence of the accreting NS in the wind. The terminal wind velocity is confirmed at u(infinity) approximate to 600 km s(-1). On the other hand, the wind velocity in the inner region where the NS is located is only approximate to 100 km s(-1), which is not expected on the basis of a standard beta-velocity law. In models with an enhanced level of X-rays, the velocity field in the outer wind can be altered. If the X-ray flux is too high, the acceleration breaks down because the ionization increases. Conclusions. Accounting for radiation hydrodynamics, our Vela X-1 donor atmosphere model reveals a low wind speed at the NS location, and it provides quantitative information on wind driving in this important HMXB.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KurfuerstFeldmeierKrticka2018,
  author    = {Kurf{\"u}rst, P. and Feldmeier, Achim and Krticka, Jiri},
  title     = {Two-dimensional modeling of density and thermal structure of dense circumstellar outflowing disks},
  series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  volume    = {613},
  journal   = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {1432-0746},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/201731300},
  pages     = {24},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Context. Evolution of massive stars is affected by a significant loss of mass either via (nearly) spherically symmetric stellar winds or by aspherical mass-loss mechanisms, namely the outflowing equatorial disks. However, the scenario that leads to the formation of a disk or rings of gas and dust around massive stars is still under debate. It is also unclear how various forming physical mechanisms of the circumstellar environment affect its shape and density, as well as its kinematic and thermal structure. Results. Our models show the geometric distribution and contribution of viscous heating that begins to dominate in the central part of the disk for mass-loss rates higher than (M) over dot greater than or similar to 10(-10) M-circle dot yr(-1). In the models of dense viscous disks with (M) over dot > 10(-8) M-circle dot yr(-1), the viscosity increases the central temperature up to several tens of thousands of Kelvins, however the temperature rapidly drops with radius and with distance from the disk midplane. The high mass-loss rates and high viscosity lead to instabilities with significant waves or bumps in density and temperature in the very inner disk region. Conclusions. The two-dimensional radial-vertical models of dense outflowing disks including the full Navier-Stokes viscosity terms show very high temperatures that are however limited to only the central disk cores inside the optically thick area, while near the edge of the optically thick region the temperature may be low enough for the existence of neutral hydrogen, for example.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KrtickaFeldmeier2018,
  author    = {Krticka, Jiri and Feldmeier, Achim},
  title     = {Light variations due to the line-driven wind instability and wind blanketing in O stars},
  series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  volume    = {617},
  journal   = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {1432-0746},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/201731614},
  pages     = {7},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {A small fraction of the radiative flux emitted by hot stars is absorbed by their winds and redistributed towards longer wavelengths. This effect, which leads also to the heating of the stellar photosphere, is termed wind blanketing. For stars with variable winds, the effect of wind blanketing may lead to the photometric variability. We have studied the consequences of line driven wind instability and wind blanketing for the light variability of O stars. We combined the results of wind hydrodynamic simulations and of global wind models to predict the light variability of hot stars due to the wind blanketing and instability. The wind instability causes stochastic light variability with amplitude of the order of tens of millimagnitudes and a typical timescale of the order of hours for spatially coherent wind structure. The amplitude is of the order of millimagnitudes when assuming that the wind consists of large number of independent concentric cones. The variability with such amplitude is observable using present space borne photometers. We show that the simulated light curve is similar to the light curves of O stars obtained using BRITE and CoRoT satellites.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HainichRamachandranShenaretal.2019,
  author    = {Hainich, Rainer and Ramachandran, Varsha and Shenar, Tomer and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Todt, Helge Tobias and Gruner, David and Oskinova, Lida and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer},
  title     = {PoWR grids of non-LTE model atmospheres for OB-type stars of various metallicities},
  series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  volume    = {621},
  journal   = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {1432-0746},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/201833787},
  pages     = {12},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {The study of massive stars in different metallicity environments is a central topic of current stellar research. The spectral analysis of massive stars requires adequate model atmospheres. The computation of such models is difficult and time-consuming. Therefore, spectral analyses are greatly facilitated if they can refer to existing grids of models. Here we provide grids of model atmospheres for OB-type stars at metallicities corresponding to the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds, as well as to solar metallicity. In total, the grids comprise 785 individual models. The models were calculated using the state-of-the-art Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) model atmosphere code. The parameter domain of the grids was set up using stellar evolution tracks. For all these models, we provide normalized and flux-calibrated spectra, spectral energy distributions, feedback parameters such as ionizing photons, Zanstra temperatures, and photometric magnitudes. The atmospheric structures (the density and temperature stratification) are available as well. All these data are publicly accessible through the PoWR website.},
  language  = {en}
}