@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{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{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}
}
@article{SanderHamannTodtetal.2017,
  author    = {Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Todt, Helge Tobias and Hainich, Rainer and Shenar, Tomer},
  title     = {Coupling hydrodynamics with comoving frame radiative transfer I. A unified approach for OB and WR stars},
  series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  volume    = {603},
  journal   = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {1432-0746},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/201730642},
  pages     = {14},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Context. For more than two decades, stellar atmosphere codes have been used to derive the stellar and wind parameters of massive stars. Although they have become a powerful tool and sufficiently reproduce the observed spectral appearance, they can hardly be used for more than measuring parameters. One major obstacle is their inconsistency between the calculated radiation field and the wind stratification due to the usage of prescribed mass-loss rates and wind-velocity fields. Aims. We present the concepts for a new generation of hydrodynamically consistent non-local thermodynamical equilibrium (nonLTE) stellar atmosphere models that allow for detailed studies of radiation-driven stellar winds. As a first demonstration, this new kind of model is applied to a massive O star. Methods. Based on earlier works, the PoWR code has been extended with the option to consistently solve the hydrodynamic equation together with the statistical equations and the radiative transfer in order to obtain a hydrodynamically consistent atmosphere stratification. In these models, the whole velocity field is iteratively updated together with an adjustment of the mass-loss rate. Results. The concepts for obtaining hydrodynamically consistent models using a comoving-frame radiative transfer are outlined. To provide a useful benchmark, we present a demonstration model, which was motivated to describe the well-studied O4 supergiant zeta Pup. The obtained stellar and wind parameters are within the current range of literature values. Conclusions. For the first time, the PoWR code has been used to obtain a hydrodynamically consistent model for a massive O star. This has been achieved by a profound revision of earlier concepts used for Wolf-Rayet stars. The velocity field is shaped by various elements contributing to the radiative acceleration, especially in the outer wind. The results further indicate that for more dense winds deviations from a standard beta-law occur.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SteinkeOskinovaHamannetal.2016,
  author    = {Steinke, Martin and Oskinova, Lida and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Liermann, A. and Todt, Helge Tobias},
  title     = {Analysis of the WN star WR102c, its WR nebula, and the associated cluster of massive stars in the Sickle Nebula},
  series = {Tectonophysics : international journal of geotectonics and the geology and physics of the interior of the earth},
  volume    = {588},
  journal   = {Tectonophysics : international journal of geotectonics and the geology and physics of the interior of the earth},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {1432-0746},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/201527692},
  pages     = {10},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Context. The massive Wolf-Rayet type star WR102c is located near the Quintuplet Cluster, one of the three massive star clusters in the Galactic centre region. Previous studies indicated that WR102c may have a dusty circumstellar nebula and is among the main ionising sources of the Sickle Nebula associated with the Quintuplet Cluster. Aims. The goals of our study are to derive the stellar parameters of WR102c from the analysis of its spectrum and to investigate its stellar and nebular environment. Methods. We obtained observations with the ESO VLT integral field spectrograph SINFONI in the K-band, extracted the stellar spectra, and analysed them by means of stellar atmosphere models. Results. Our new analysis supersedes the results previously reported for WR102c. We significantly decrease its bolometric luminosity and hydrogen content. We detect four early OB type stars close to WR102c. These stars have radial velocities similar to that of WR102c. We suggest that together with WR102c these stars belong to a distinct star cluster with a total mass of similar to 1000 M-circle dot. We identify a new WR nebula around WR102c in the SINFONI map of the di ff use Br gamma emission and in the HST Pa ff images. The Br gamma line at di ff erent locations is not significantly broadened and similar to the width of nebular emission elsewhere in the H i i region around WR102c. Conclusions. The massive star WR102c located in the Galactic centre region resides in a star cluster containing additional early-type stars. The stellar parameters of WR102c are typical for hydrogen-free WN6 stars. We identify a nebula surrounding WR102c that has a morphology similar to other nebulae around hydrogen-free WR stars, and propose that the formation of this nebula is linked to interaction of the fast stellar wind with the matter ejected at a previous evolutionary stage of WR102c.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SanderShenarHainichetal.2015,
  author    = {Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Shenar, Tomer and Hainich, Rainer and Gimenez-Garcia, Ana and Todt, Helge Tobias and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer},
  title     = {On the consistent treatment of the quasi-hydrostatic layers in hot star atmospheres},
  series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  volume    = {577},
  journal   = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {0004-6361},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/201425356},
  pages     = {13},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Context. Spectroscopic analysis remains the most common method to derive masses of massive stars, the most fundamental stellar parameter. While binary orbits and stellar pulsations can provide much sharper constraints on the stellar mass, these methods are only rarely applicable to massive stars. Unfortunately, spectroscopic masses of massive stars heavily depend on the detailed physics of model atmospheres. Aims. We demonstrate the impact of a consistent treatment of the radiative pressure on inferred gravities and spectroscopic masses of massive stars. Specifically, we investigate the contribution of line and continuum transitions to the photospheric radiative pressure. We further explore the effect of model parameters, e.g., abundances, on the deduced spectroscopic mass. Lastly, we compare our results with the plane-parallel TLUSTY code, commonly used for the analysis of massive stars with photospheric spectra. Methods. We calculate a small set of O-star models with the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) code using different approaches for the quasi-hydrostatic part. These models allow us to quantify the effect of accounting for the radiative pressure consistently. We further use PoWR models to show how the Doppler widths of line profiles and abundances of elements such as iron affect the radiative pressure, and, as a consequence, the derived spectroscopic masses. Results. Our study implies that errors on the order of a factor of two in the inferred spectroscopic mass are to be expected when neglecting the contribution of line and continuum transitions to the radiative acceleration in the photosphere. Usage of implausible microturbulent velocities, or the neglect of important opacity sources such as Fe, may result in errors of approximately 50\% in the spectroscopic mass. A comparison with TLUSTY model atmospheres reveals a very good agreement with PoWR at the limit of low mass-loss rates.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ShenarOskinovaHamannetal.2015,
  author    = {Shenar, Tomer and Oskinova, Lida and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Corcoran, Michael F. and Moffat, Anthony F. J. and Pablo, Herbert and Richardson, Noel D. and Waldron, Wayne L. and Huenemoerder, David P. and Maiz Apellaniz, Jesus and Nichols, Joy S. and Todt, Helge Tobias and Naze, Yael and Hoffman, Jennifer L. and Pollock, Andy M. T. and Negueruela, Ignacio},
  title     = {A coordinated X-Ray and optical campaign of the nearest massive eclipsing binary, delta ORIONIS Aa. IV. A multiwavelength, non-lte spectroscopic analysis},
  series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics},
  volume    = {809},
  journal   = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.},
  address   = {Bristol},
  issn      = {0004-637X},
  doi       = {10.1088/0004-637X/809/2/135},
  pages     = {20},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Eclipsing systems of massive stars allow one to explore the properties of their components in great detail. We perform a multi-wavelength, non-LTE analysis of the three components of the massive multiple system delta Ori A, focusing on the fundamental stellar properties, stellar winds, and X-ray characteristics of the system. The primary's distance-independent parameters turn out to be characteristic for its spectral type (O9.5 II), but usage of the Hipparcos parallax yields surprisingly low values for the mass, radius, and luminosity. Consistent values follow only if delta Ori lies at about twice the Hipparcos distance, in the vicinity of the sigma-Orionis cluster. The primary and tertiary dominate the spectrum and leave the secondary only marginally detectable. We estimate the V-band magnitude difference between primary and secondary to be Delta V approximate to 2.(m)8. The inferred parameters suggest that the secondary is an early B-type dwarf (approximate to B1 V), while the tertiary is an early B-type subgiant (approximate to B0 IV). We find evidence for rapid turbulent velocities (similar to 200 km s(-1)) and wind inhomogeneities, partially optically thick, in the primary's wind. The bulk of the X-ray emission likely emerges from the primary's stellar wind (logL(X)/L-Bol approximate to -6.85), initiating close to the stellar surface at R-0 similar to 1.1 R-*. Accounting for clumping, the mass-loss rate of the primary is found to be log (M) over dot approximate to -6.4 (M-circle dot yr(-1))., which agrees with hydrodynamic predictions, and provides a consistent picture along the X-ray, UV, optical, and radio spectral domains.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{PabloRichardsonMoffatetal.2015,
  author    = {Pablo, Herbert and Richardson, Noel D. and Moffat, Anthony F. J. and Corcoran, Michael and Shenar, Tomer and Benvenuto, Omar and Fuller, Jim and Naze, Yael and Hoffman, Jennifer L. and Miroshnichenko, Anatoly and Apellaniz, Jesus Maiz and Evans, Nancy and Eversberg, Thomas and Gayley, Ken and Gull, Ted and Hamaguchi, Kenji and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Henrichs, Huib and Hole, Tabetha and Ignace, Richard and Iping, Rosina and Lauer, Jennifer and Leutenegger, Maurice and Lomax, Jamie and Nichols, Joy and Oskinova, Lida and Owocki, Stan and Pollock, Andy and Russell, Christopher M. P. and Waldron, Wayne and Buil, Christian and Garrel, Thierry and Graham, Keith and Heathcote, Bernard and Lemoult, Thierry and Li, Dong and Mauclaire, Benjamin and Potter, Mike and Ribeiro, Jose and Matthews, Jaymie and Cameron, Chris and Guenther, David and Kuschnig, Rainer and Rowe, Jason and Rucinski, Slavek and Sasselov, Dimitar and Weiss, Werner},
  title     = {A coordinated X-Ray and optical campaign of the nearest massive eclipsing binary, delta ORIONIS Aa. III. Analysis of optical photometric (most) and spectroscopic (ground based) variations},
  series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics},
  volume    = {809},
  journal   = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.},
  address   = {Bristol},
  issn      = {0004-637X},
  doi       = {10.1088/0004-637X/809/2/134},
  pages     = {11},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {We report on both high-precision photometry from the Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars (MOST) space telescope and ground-based spectroscopy of the triple system delta Ori A, consisting of a binary O9.5II+early-B (Aa1 and Aa2) with P = 5.7 days, and a more distant tertiary (O9 IV P > 400 years). This data was collected in concert with X-ray spectroscopy from the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Thanks to continuous coverage for three weeks, the MOST light curve reveals clear eclipses between Aa1 and Aa2 for the first time in non-phased data. From the spectroscopy, we have a well-constrained radial velocity (RV) curve of Aa1. While we are unable to recover RV variations of the secondary star, we are able to constrain several fundamental parameters of this system and determine an approximate mass of the primary using apsidal motion. We also detected second order modulations at 12 separate frequencies with spacings indicative of tidally influenced oscillations. These spacings have never been seen in a massive binary, making this system one of only a handful of such binaries that show evidence for tidally induced pulsations.},
  language  = {en}
}