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We discuss X-ray line formation in dense O star winds. A random distribution of wind shocks is assumed to emit X-rays that are partially absorbed by cooler wind gas. The cool gas resides in highly compressed fragments oriented perpendicular to the radial flow direction. For fully opaque fragments, we find that the blueshifted part of X-ray line profiles remains flat-topped even after severe wind attenuation, whereas the red part shows a steep decline. These box- type, blueshifted profiles resemble recent Chandra observations of the O3 star zeta Pup. For partially transparent fragments, the emission lines become similar to those from a homogeneous wind.
We discuss the connection between wind overloading and discrete absorption components in P Cygni line profiles from O stars. Overloading can create horizontal plateaus in the radial wind speed that cause the extra absorption in the line profile. The upstream propagation speed of these velocity plateaus is analyzed. The second part of the paper deals with X-ray emission from O stars. X-ray line profiles observed with Chandra and XMM are often symmetric, contrary to what is expected for lines from a homogeneous wind. We discuss the influence on line symmetry of photon escape channels in a strongly clumped wind.
Recent non-LTE models for expanding atmospheres, accounting for iron group line-blanketing and clumping, show a radiative acceleration which supplies a large part of the driving force of WR winds. Aiming at the calculation of fully consistent wind models, we developed a method to include the solution of the hydrodynamic equations into our code, taking into account the radiation pressure from the comoving-frame radiation transport. In the present work we discuss the resulting wind acceleration for WR- and O star models, and demonstrate the effects of clumping. In addition, we present a consistent hydrodynamic non-LTE model for the O-star zeta Puppis, which is calculated under consideration of complex model atoms of H, He, C, N, O, Si and the iron group elements. In its present state this model fails to reproduce the observed mass loss rate - probably due to still incomplete atomic data.
HST UV and optical spectra of the early-type [WC] star SMP 61 in the LMC are analyzed by means of line blanketed non-LTE models for expanding atmospheres. The known distance to the LMC allows a reliable determination of the stellar parameters. The low iron surface abundance of the object possibly indicates a preceding evolution through a very late thermal pulse (VLTP).
The blue compact H II galaxy CTS 1026 shows very strong WR emission features around 4686 AA and 5800 AA. We present high S/N optical spectra of the nucleus of this object. Byanalysis of the WR profile shapes, we determine the dominant spectral types and the WN/WC ratio in the starforming region. The ratio WR/O is determined via standard nebular diagnostics.
The non-LTE radiative transfer problem requires the consistent solution of two sets of equations: the radiative transfer equations, which couple the spatial points, and the equations of the statistical equilibrium, which couple the frequencies. The "Accelerated Lambda Iteration" (ALI) method allows for an iterative scheme, in which both sets of equations are solved in turn. For moving atmospheres the radiative transfer is preferably formulated in the co-moving frame-of-reference, which leads to a partial differential equation. "Classical" numerical solution methods are based on differencing schemes. For better numerical stability, we prefer "short characteristics" integration methods. Iron line blanketing is accounted for by means of the "superlevel" concept. In contrast to static atmospheres, the frequencies can not be re-ordered in the moving case because of the frequency coupling from Doppler shifts. One of our future aims is the coupling of elaborated radiative transfer calculations with the hydrodynamical equations in order to understand the driving of strong stellar winds, especially from Wolf-Rayet stars.
Most Central Stars of Planetary Nebulae exhibit a spectrum of a hydrogen-rich hot star with little or no stellar wind. About 20 % of the CSPN, however, show entirely different spectra dominated by bright and broad emission lines of carbon, oxygen and helium, resembling the so-called Wolf-Rayet (WR) spectral class originally established for massive, Pop. I stars. These spectra indicate a hydrogen-deficient surface composition and, at the same time, strong mass-loss. As the WR spectra are formed entirely in a dense stellar wind, their spectral analysis requires adequate modelling. Corresponding Non-LTE model atmospheres have been developed in the last decade and became more and more sophisticated. They have been applied yet for analyzing almost all available WR-type CSPN spectra, establishing the stellar parameters. The obtained surface abundances are not understandable in terms of "classical" evolutionary calculations, but agree in principle with the advanced models for AGB evolution which account consistently for diffusive mixing and nuclear burning. The underabundance of iron, which we established in a recent study of a WC-type central star (LMC-SMP 61), gives indirect evidence that neutron-capture synthesis has converted Fe into s-process elements.
The Potsdam Non-LTE code for expanding atmospheres, which accounts for clumping and iron-line blanketing, has been used to establish a grid of model atmospheres for WC stars. A parameter degeneracy is discovered for early-type WC models which do not depend on the "stellar temperature". 15 galactic WC4-7 stars are analyzed, showing a very uniform carbon abundance (He:C=55:40) with only few exceptions.
WR Central Stars
(2003)
The carbon-rich WC5 star WR 114 was not detected during a 15.9 ksec XMM-Newton observation, implying an upper limit to the X-ray luminosity of Lx < 2.5 x 1030 ergs-1 and to the X-ray to bolometric luminosity ratio of Lx/Lbol < 4 x 10-9. This confirms indications from earlier less sensitive measurements that there has been no convincing X-ray detection of any single WC star. This lack of detections is reinforced by XMM-Newton and CHANDRA observations of WC stars. Thus the conclusion has to be drawn that the stars with radiatively-driven stellar winds of this particular class are insignificant X-ray sources. We attribute this to photoelectronic absorption by the stellar wind. The high opacity of the metal-rich and dense winds from WC stars puts the radius of optical depth unity at hundreds or thousands of stellar radii for much of the X-ray band. We believe that the essential absence of hot plasma so far out in the wind exacerbated by the large distances and correspondingly high ISM column densities makes the WC stars too faint to be detectable with current technology. The result also applies to many WC stars in binary systems, of which only about 20 % are identified X-ray sources, presumably due to colliding winds.
The central star of the PN LMC-N66 showed an impressive outburst in 1993 - 1994, returning to its initial conditions about 8 years later. Its spectrum resembles that of a WN4.5 star, being the only confirmed central star of planetary nebulae showing such a spectral type. Recent analysis for the central star parameters, performed by Hamann et al. (2003) is presented. They have found that the bolometric luminosity increased by a factor larger than 6, during the outburst. We discuss the possible scenarios which have been proposed to explain the exceptional stellar parameters and the outburst mechanism. The stellar characteristics and the morphology and kinematics of the planetary nebula suggest the presence of binary system (massive star with a less massive companion or, a white dwarf accreting matter in a close- binary system). These cases pose the least severe contradictions with observational constraints.