Massive AGB models of low metallicity: the implications for the self-enrichment scenario in metal poor Globular Clusters

Context: We present the physical and chemical properties of intermediate-mass stars models of low metallicity, evolved along the thermal pulse phase. Aims: The target of this work is to extend to low metallicities, Z=1,2 and 6 x 10^{-4}, the models previously computed for chemistries typical of Globular Clusters of an intermediate metallicity (Z=0.001), and for the most metal-rich clusters found in our Galaxy (Z=0.004); the main goal is to test the self-enrichment scenario also for metal poor Globular Clusters Methods: We calculated three grids of intermediate-mass models with metallicities Z=10^{-4}, 2x10^{-4}, and 6x10^{-4}; the evolutionary sequences are followed from the pre-main sequence throughout the AGB phase, almost until the ejection of the whole envelope. We discuss the chemistry of the ejecta, and in particular the mass fractions of those elements that have been investigated during the many, deep, spectrocopic surveys of Globular Clusters Results: Although the data for oxygen and sodium are scarce for low metallicity Globular Clusters, the few data for the unevolved stars in NGC6397 are compatible with the models. Further, we find good agreement with the C--N anticorrelation of unevolved stars in the cluster M15. In this cluster, however, no stars having low oxygen ([O/Fe] = -1) have been detected. The most massive, very metal poor clusters, should contain such stars, according to the present models. At the lowest metallicity Z=10^{-4}, the ejecta of the most massive AGBs have C/O>1, due to the dramatic decrease of the oxygen abundance. We discuss the possible implications of this prediction.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figure

Full computation of massive AGB evolution. I. The large impact of convection on nucleosynthesis

It is well appreciated that the description of overadiabatic convection affects the structure of the envelopes of luminous asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in the phase of ``hot bottom burning '' (HBB). We stress that this important uncertainty in the modeling plays a role which is much more dramatic than the role which can be ascribed, e.g., to the uncertainty in the nuclear cross-sections. Due to the role tentatively attributed today to the HBB nucleosynthesis as the site of self-enrichment of Globular Clusters stars, it is necessary to explore the difference in nucleosynthesis obtained by different prescriptions for convection. We present results of detailed evolutionary calculations of the evolution of stars of intermediate mass during the AGB phase. We follow carefully the nucleosynthesis at the base of the external convective region, showing that very different results can be obtained according to the presciption adopted to find out the temperature gradient within the instability regions. We discuss the uncertainties in the yields of the various chemical species and the role which these sources can play as polluters of the interstellar medium.Comment: 11 pages, 12 figures. Accepted for pubblication on A&

The self-enrichment scenario in intermediate metallicity globular clusters

We present stellar yields computed from detailed models of intermediate mass asymptotic giant branch stars of low metallicity. In this work, the whole main microphysics inputs have been updated, and in particular alpha-enhancement is explicitly taken into account both in the opacities and equation of state. The target of this work is to provide a basis to test the reliability of the AGB self-enrichment scenario for Globular Clusters of intermediate metallicity. These Globular Clusters exhibit well defined abundance patterns, which have often been interpreted as a consequence of the pollution of the interstellar medium by the ejecta of massive AGBs. We calculated a grid of intermediate mass models with metallicity Z=0.001; the evolutionary sequences are followed from the pre-Main sequence along the whole AGB phase. We focus our attention on those elements largely studied in the spectroscopic investigations of Globular Clusters stars, i.e. oxygen, sodium, aluminum, magnesium and fluorine.} The predictions of our models show an encouraging agreement with the demand of the self-enrichment scenario for what concerns the abundances of oxygen, aluminum, fluorine and magnesium. The question of sodium is more tricky, due to the large uncertainties of the cross-sections of the Ne-Na cycle. The present results show that only a relatively small range of initial masses (M=5,6 solar masses) can be responsible for the self enrichment

Full computation of massive AGB evolution. II. The role of mass loss and cross-sections

In the course of a systematic exploration of the uncertainties associated to the input micro- and macro-physics in the modeling of the evolution of intermediate mass stars during their Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) phase, we focus on the role of the nuclear reactions rates and mass loss. We consider masses 3<M/Msun<6.5 for a metallicity typical for Globular Cluster, Z=0.001, and compare the results obtained by computing the full nucleosynthesis with hot bottom burning (HBB), for a network of 30 elements, using either the NACRE or the Cameron & Fowler (1988) cross-sections. The results differ in particular with respect to the Na23 nucleosynthesis (which is more efficient in the NACRE case) and the magnesium isotopes ratios. For both choices, however, the CNO nucleosynthesis shows that the C+N+O is constant within a factor of two, in our models employing a very efficient convection treatment. Different mass loss rates alter the physical conditions for HBB and the length of the AGB phase, changing indirectly the chemical yields. These computations show that the predictive power of our AGB models is undermined by these uncertainties. In particular, it appears at the moment very difficult to strongly accept or dismiss that these sources play a key-role in the pollution of Globular Clusters (GCs)Comment: 27 pages (referee format) + 19 figure