@phdthesis{Shenar2017, author = {Shenar, Tomer}, title = {Comprehensive analyses of massive binaries and implications on stellar evolution}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-104857}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {187}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Via their powerful radiation, stellar winds, and supernova explosions, massive stars (Mini \& 8 M☉) bear a tremendous impact on galactic evolution. It became clear in recent decades that the majority of massive stars reside in binary systems. This thesis sets as a goal to quantify the impact of binarity (i.e., the presence of a companion star) on massive stars. For this purpose, massive binary systems in the Local Group, including OB-type binaries, high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs), and Wolf-Rayet (WR) binaries, were investigated by means of spectral, orbital, and evolutionary analyses. The spectral analyses were performed with the non-local thermodynamic equillibrium (non-LTE) Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) model atmosphere code. Thanks to critical updates in the calculation of the hydrostatic layers, the code became a state-of-the-art tool applicable for all types of hot massive stars (Chapter 2). The eclipsing OB-type triple system δ Ori served as an intriguing test-case for the new version of the PoWR code, and provided key insights regarding the formation of X-rays in massive stars (Chapter 3). We further analyzed two prototypical HMXBs, Vela X-1 and IGR J17544-2619, and obtained fundamental conclusions regarding the dichotomy of two basic classes of HMXBs (Chapter 4). We performed an exhaustive analysis of the binary R 145 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), which was claimed to host the most massive stars known. We were able to disentangle the spectrum of the system, and performed an orbital, polarimetric, and spectral analysis, as well as an analysis of the wind-wind collision region. The true masses of the binary components turned out to be significantly lower than suggested, impacting our understanding of the initial mass function and stellar evolution at low metallicity (Chapter 5). Finally, all known WR binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) were analyzed. Although it was theoretical predicted that virtually all WR stars in the SMC should be formed via mass-transfer in binaries, we find that binarity was not important for the formation of the known WR stars in the SMC, implying a strong discrepancy between theory and observations (Chapter 6).}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Feldmeier2001, author = {Feldmeier, Achim}, title = {Hydrodynamics of astrophysical winds driven by scattering in spectral lines}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0000388}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2001}, abstract = {Liniengetriebene Winde werden durch Impuls{\"u}bertrag von Photonen auf ein Plasma bei Absorption oder Streuung in zahlreichen Spektrallinien beschleunigt. Dieser Prozess ist besonders effizient f{\"u}r ultraviolette Strahlung und Plasmatemperaturen zwischen 10^4 K und 10^5 K. Zu den astronomischen Objekten mit liniengetriebenen Winden geh{\"o}ren Sterne der Spektraltypen O, B und A, Wolf-Rayet-Sterne sowie Akkretionsscheiben verschiedenster Gr{\"o}ßenordnung, von Scheiben um junge Sterne und in kataklysmischen Ver{\"a}nderlichen bis zu Quasarscheiben. Es ist bislang nicht m{\"o}glich, das vollst{\"a}ndige Windproblem numerisch zu l{\"o}sen, also die Hydrodynamik, den Strahlungstransport und das statistische Gleichgewicht dieser Str{\"o}mungen gleichzeitig zu behandeln. Die Betonung liegt in dieser Arbeit auf der Windhydrodynamik, mit starken Vereinfachungen in den beiden anderen Gebieten. Wegen pers{\"o}nlicher Beteiligung betrachte ich drei Themen im Detail. 1. Windinstabilit{\"a}t durch Dopplerde-shadowing des Gases. Die Instabilit{\"a}t bewirkt, dass Windgas in dichte Schalen komprimiert wird, die von starken Stoßfronten begrenzt sind. Schnelle Wolken entstehen im Raum zwischen den Schalen und stoßen mit diesen zusammen. Dies erzeugt R{\"o}ntgenflashes, die die beobachtete R{\"o}ntgenstrahlung heißer Sterne erkl{\"a}ren k{\"o}nnen. 2. Wind runway durch radiative Wellen. Der runaway zeigt, warum beobachtete liniengetriebene Winde schnelle, kritische L{\"o}sungen anstelle von Brisenl{\"o}sungen (oder shallow solutions) annehmen. Unter bestimmten Bedingungen stabilisiert der Wind sich auf masse{\"u}berladenen L{\"o}sungen, mit einem breiten, abbremsenden Bereich und Knicken im Geschwindigkeitsfeld. 3. Magnetische Winde von Akkretionsscheiben um Sterne oder in aktiven Galaxienzentren. Die Linienbeschleunigung wird hier durch die Zentrifugalkraft entlang korotierender poloidaler Magnetfelder und die Lorentzkraft aufgrund von Gradienten im toroidalen Feld unterst{\"u}tzt. Ein Wirbelblatt, das am inneren Scheibenrand beginnt, kann zu stark erh{\"o}hten Massenverlustraten f{\"u}hren.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{OPUS4-1574, title = {Clumping in hot-star winds : proceedings of an international workshop held in Potsdam, Germany, 18. - 22. June 2007}, editor = {Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Feldmeier, Achim and Oskinova, Lida}, publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Potsdam}, address = {Potsdam}, isbn = {978-3-940793-33-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-13981}, pages = {254}, year = {2007}, abstract = {Stellar winds play an important role for the evolution of massive stars and their cosmic environment. Multiple lines of evidence, coming from spectroscopy, polarimetry, variability, stellar ejecta, and hydrodynamic modeling, suggest that stellar winds are non-stationary and inhomogeneous. This is referred to as 'wind clumping'. The urgent need to understand this phenomenon is boosted by its far-reaching implications. Most importantly, all techniques to derive empirical mass-loss rates are more or less corrupted by wind clumping. Consequently, mass-loss rates are extremely uncertain. Within their range of uncertainty, completely different scenarios for the evolution of massive stars are obtained. Settling these questions for Galactic OB, LBV and Wolf-Rayet stars is prerequisite to understanding stellar clusters and galaxies, or predicting the properties of first-generation stars. In order to develop a consistent picture and understanding of clumped stellar winds, an international workshop on 'Clumping in Hot Star Winds' was held in Potsdam, Germany, from 18. - 22. June 2007. About 60 participants, comprising almost all leading experts in the field, gathered for one week of extensive exchange and discussion. The Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC) included John Brown (Glasgow), Joseph Cassinelli (Madison), Paul Crowther (Sheffield), Alex Fullerton (Baltimore), Wolf-Rainer Hamann (Potsdam, chair), Anthony Moffat (Montreal), Stan Owocki (Newark), and Joachim Puls (Munich). These proceedings contain the invited and contributed talks presented at the workshop, and document the extensive discussions.}, language = {en} }