Stellar evolution with rotation X: Wolf-Rayet star populations at solar metallicity

We examine the properties of Wolf--Rayet (WR) stars predicted by models of rotating stars taking account of the new mass loss rates for O--type stars and WR stars (Vink et al. \cite{Vink00}, \cite{Vink01}; Nugis & Lamers \cite{NuLa00}) and of the wind anisotropies induced by rotation. We find that the rotation velocities $v$ of WR stars are modest, i.e. about 50 km s$^{-1}$, not very dependant on the initial $v$ and masses. For the most massive stars, the evolution of $v$ is very strongly influenced by the values of the mass loss rates; below $\sim$12 M$_\odot$ the evolution of rotation during the MS phase and later phases is dominated by the internal coupling. Massive stars with extreme rotation may skip the LBV phase. Models having a typical $v$ for the O--type stars have WR lifetimes on the average two times longer than for non--rotating models. The increase of the WR lifetimes is mainly due to that of the H--rich eWNL phase. Rotation allows a transition WN/WC phase to be present for initial masses lower than 60 M$_\odot$. The durations of the other WR subphases are less affected by rotation. The mass threshold for forming WR stars is lowered from 37 to 22 M$_\odot$ for typical rotation. The comparisons of the predicted number ratios WR/O, WN/WC and of the number of transition WN/WC stars show very good agreement with models with rotation, while this is not the case for models with the present--day mass loss rates and no rotation. As to the chemical abundances in WR stars, rotation brings only very small changes for WN stars, since they have equilibrium CNO values. However, WC stars with rotation have on average lower C/He and O/He ratios. The luminosity distribution of WC stars is also influenced by rotation.Comment: 17 pages, 20 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Pre-suprenova evolution of rotating massive stars

The Geneva evolutionary code has been modified to study the advanced stages (Ne, O, Si burnings) of rotating massive stars. Here we present the results of four 20 solar mass stars at solar metallicity with initial rotational velocities of 0, 100, 200 and 300 km/s in order to show the crucial role of rotation in stellar evolution. As already known, rotation increases mass loss and core masses (Meynet and Maeder 2000). A fast rotating 20 solar mass star has the same central evolution as a non-rotating 26 solar mass star. Rotation also increases strongly net total metal yields. Furthermore, rotation changes the SN type so that more SNIb are predicted (see Meynet and Maeder 2003 and N. Prantzos and S. Boissier 2003). Finally, SN1987A-like supernovae progenitor colour can be explained in a single rotating star scenario.Comment: To appear in proceedings of IAU Colloquium 192, "Supernovae (10 years of 1993J)", Valencia, Spain 22-26 April 2003, eds. J.M. Marcaide, K.W. Weiler, 5 pages, 8 figure

Can very massive stars avoid Pair-instability Supernovae?

Very massive primordial stars ($140 M_{\odot} < M < 260 M_{\odot}$) are supposed to end their lives as pair-instability supernovae. Such an event can be traced by a typical chemical signature in low metallicity stars, but at the present time, this signature is lacking in the extremely metal-poor stars we are able to observe. Does it mean that those very massive objects did not form, contrarily to the primordial star formation scenarios? Could they avoid this tragical fate? We explore the effects of rotation, anisotropic mass loss and magnetic fields on the core size of a very massive Population III model, in order to check if its mass is sufficiently modified to prevent the pair instability. We obtain that a Population III model of $150 M_{\odot}$ with $\upsilon/\upsilon_{\rm crit}=0.56$ computed with the inclusion of wind anisotropy and Tayler-Spruit dynamo avoids the pair instability explosion.Comment: to be published in the conference proceedings of First Stars III, Santa Fe, 200

Stellar evolution with rotation and magnetic fields II: General equations for the transport by Tayler--Spruit dynamo

We further develop the Tayler--Spruit dynamo theory, based on the most efficient instability for generating magnetic fields in radiative layers of differentially rotating stars. We avoid the simplifying assumptions that either the $\mu$-- or the $T$--gradient dominates, but we treat the general case and we also account for the nonadiabatic effects, which favour the growth of the magnetic field. Stars with a magnetic field rotate almost as a solid body. Several of their properties (size of the core, MS lifetimes, tracks, abundances) are closer to those of models without rotation than with rotation only. In particular, the observed N/C or N/H excesses in OB stars are better explained by our previous models with rotation only than by the present models with magnetic fields that predict no nitrogen excesses. We show that there is a complex feedback loop between the magnetic instability and the thermal instability driving meridional circulation. This opens the possibility for further magnetic models, but at this stage we do not know the relative importance of the magnetic fields due to the Tayler instability in stellar interiors.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Combining observational techniques to constrain convection in evolved massive star models

Recent stellar evolution computations indicate that massive stars in the range ~ 20 - 30 Msun are located in the blue supergiant (BSG) region of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram at two different stages of their life: immediately after the main sequence (MS, group 1) and during a blueward evolution after the red supergiant phase (group 2). From the observation of the pulsationnal properties of a subgroup of variable BSGs (alpha Cyg variables), one can deduce that these stars belongs to group 2. It is however difficult to simultaneously fit the observed surface abundances and gravity for these stars, and this allows to constrain the physical processes of chemical species transport in massive stars. We will show here that the surface abundances are extremely sensitive to the physics of convection, particularly the location of the intermediate convective shell that appears at the ignition of the hydrogen shell burning after the MS. Our results show that the use of the Ledoux criterion to determine the convective regions in the stellar models leads to a better fit of the surface abundances for alpha Cyg variables than the Schwarzschild one.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, to appear in IAUS 307 proceeding

Synthesis of 19F in Wolf-Rayet stars

Meynet and Arnould (1993) have suggested that Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars could significantly contaminate the Galaxy with 19F. In their scenario, 19F is synthesized at the beginning of the He-burning phase from the 14N left over by the previous CNO-burning core, and is ejected in the interstellar medium when the star enters its WC phase. Recourse to CNO seeds makes the 19F yields metallicity-dependent. These yields are calculated on grounds of detailed stellar evolutionary sequences for an extended range of initial masses (from 25 to 120 Msol) and metallicities (Z = 0.008, 0.02 and 0.04). The adopted mass loss rate prescription enables to account for the observed variations of WR populations in different environments. The 19F abundance in the WR winds of 60 Msol model stars is found to be about 10 to 70 times higher than its initial value, depending on the metallicity. This prediction is used in conjunction with a very simple model for the chemical evolution of the Galaxy to predict that WR stars could be significant (dominant?) contributors to the solar system fluorine content. We also briefly discuss the implications of our model on the possible detection of fluorine at high redshift.Comment: 2 figures; requires LaTeX A&A class file; accepted for publication in Astron. Astrophy

Boron depletion in 9 to 15 M(circle dot) stars with rotation

The treatment of mixing is still one of the major uncertainties in stellar evolution models. One open question is how well the prescriptions for rotational mixing describe the real effects. We tested the mixing prescriptions included in the Geneva stellar evolution code (GENEC) by following the evolution of surface abundances of light isotopes in massive stars, such as boron and nitrogen. We followed 9, 12 and 15 M(O) models with rotation from the zero age main sequence up to the end of He burning. The calculations show the expected behaviour with faster depletion of boton for faster rotating stars and more massive stars. The mixing at the surface is more efficient, than predicted by prescriptions used in other codes and reproduces the majority of observations very well However two observed stars with strong boron depletion but, no nitrogen enhancement still can not be explained and let the question open whether additional mixing processes are acting in these massive star

The thermonuclear production of F19 by Wolf-Rayet stars revisited

New models of rotating and non-rotating stars are computed for initial masses between 25 and 120 Msun and for metallicities Z = 0.004, 0.008, 0.020 and 0.040 with the aim of reexamining the wind contribution of Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars to the F19 enrichment of the interstellar medium. Models with an initial rotation velocity vini = 300 km/s are found to globally eject less F19 than the non-rotating models. We compare our new predictions with those of Meynet & Arnould (2000), and demonstrate that the F19 yields are very sensitive to the still uncertain F19(alpha,p)Ne22 rate and to the adopted mass loss rates. Using the recommended mass loss rate values that take into account the clumping of the WR wind and the NACRE reaction rates when available, we obtain WR F19 yields that are significantly lower than predicted by Meynet & Arnould (2000), and that would make WR stars non-important contributors to the galactic F19 budget. In view, however, of the large nuclear and mass loss rate uncertainties, we consider that the question of the WR contribution to the galactic F19 remains quite largely open.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Stellar evolution with rotation XIII: Predicted GRB rates at various Z

We present the evolution of rotation in models of massive single stars covering a wide range of masses and metallicities. These models reproduce very well observations during the early stages of the evolution (in particular WR populations and ratio between type II and type Ib,c at different metallicities, see Meynet & Maeder 2005). Our models predict the production of fast rotating black holes. Models with large initial masses or high metallicity end their life with less angular momentum in their central remnant with respect to the break-up limit for the remnant. Many WR star models satisfy the three main criteria (black hole formation, loss of hydrogen-rich envelope and enough angular momentum to form an accretion disk around the black hole) for gamma-ray bursts (GRB) production via the collapsar model (Woosley 1993). Considering all types of WR stars as GRB progenitors, there would be too many GRBs compared to observations. If we consider only WO stars (type Ic supernovae as is the case for SN2003dh/GRB030329, see Matheson et al. 2003) as GRBs progenitors, the GRBs production rates are in much better agreement with observations. WO stars are produced only at low metallicities in the present grid of models. This prediction can be tested by future observations.Comment: ~16 pages, 14 figures, accepted by A&