arXiv subjects

E. Alecian

Publications and source records attributed to E. Alecian.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

CP and related phenomena in the context of Stellar Evolution

We review the interaction in intermediate and high mass stars between their evolution and magnetic and chemical properties. We describe the theory of Ap-star `fossil' fields, before touching on the expected secular diffusive processes which give rise to evolution of the field. We then present recent results from a spectropolarimetric survey of Herbig Ae/Be stars, showing that magnetic fields of the kind seen on the main-sequence already exist during the pre-main sequence phase, in agreement with fossil field theory, and that the origin of the slow rotation of Ap/Bp stars also lies early in the pre-main sequence evolution; we also present results confirming a lack of stars with fields below a few hundred gauss. We then seek which macroscopic motions compete with atomic diffusion in determining the surface abundances of AmFm stars. While turbulent transport and mass loss, in competition with atomic diffusion, are both able to explain observed surface abundances, the interior abundance distribution is different enough to potentially lead to a test using asterosismology. Finally we review progress on the turbulence-driving and mixing processes in stellar radiative zones.

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arXiv2009

Surface structure of the CoRoT CP2 target star HD 50773

We compare surface maps of the chemically peculiar star HD 50773 produced with a Bayesian technique and based on high quality CoRoT photometry with those derived from rotation phase resolved spectropolarimetry. The goal is to investigate the correlation of surface brightness with surface chemical abundance distribution and the stellar magnetic field. The rotational period of the star was determined from a nearly 60 day long continuous light curve obtained during the initial run of CoRoT. Using a Bayesian approach to star-spot modelling, which in this work is applied for the first time for the photometric mapping of a CP star, we derived longitudes, latitudes and radii of four different spot areas. Additional parameters like stellar inclination and the spot's intensities were also determined. The CoRoT observations triggered an extensive ground-based spectroscopic and spectropolarimetric observing campaign and enabled us to obtain 19 different high resolution spectra in Stokes parameters I and V with NARVAL, ESPaDOnS, and SemelPol spectropolarimeters. Doppler and Magnetic Doppler imaging techniques allowed us to derive the magnetic field geometry of the star and the surface abundance distributions of Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr, Fe, Ni, Y, and Cu. We find a dominant dipolar structure of the surface magnetic field. The CoRoT light curve variations and abundances of most elements mapped are correlated with the aforementioned geometry: Cr, Fe, and Si are enhanced around the magnetic poles and coincide with the bright regions on the surface of HD 50773 as predicted by our light curve synthesis and confirmed by photometric imaging.

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arXiv2009

Discovery of a magnetic field in the O9 sub-giant star HD 57682 by the MiMeS Collaboration

We report the detection of a strong, organised magnetic field in the O9IV star HD 57682, using spectropolarimetric observations obtained with ESPaDOnS at the 3.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope within the context of the Magnetism in Massive Stars (MiMeS) Large Program. From the fitting of our spectra using NLTE model atmospheres we determined that HD 57682 is a $17^{+19}_{-9}$ M$_{\odot}$ star with a radius of $7.0^{+2.4}_{-1.8}$ R$_\odot$, and a relatively low mass-loss rate of $1.4^{+3.1}_{-0.95}\times10^{-9}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$. The photospheric absorption lines are narrow, and we use the Fourier transform technique to infer $v\sin i=15\pm3$ km s$^{-1}$. This $v\sin i$ implies a maximum rotational period of 31.5 d, a value qualitatively consistent with the observed variability of the optical absorption and emission lines, as well as the Stokes $V$ profiles and longitudinal field. Using a Bayesian analysis of the velocity-resolved Stokes $V$ profiles to infer the magnetic field characteristics, we tentatively derive a dipole field strength of $1680^{+134}_{-356}$ G. The derived field strength and wind characteristics imply a wind that is strongly confined by the magnetic field.

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arXiv2009

Magnetism and binarity of the Herbig Ae star V380 Ori

In this paper we report the results of high-resolution circular spectropolarimetric monitoring of the Herbig Ae star V380 Ori, in which we discovered a magnetic field in 2005. A careful study of the intensity spectrum reveals the presence of a cool spectroscopic companion. By modelling the binary spectrum we infer the effective temperature of both stars: $10500\pm 500$ K for the primary, and $5500\pm500$ K for the secondary, and we argue that the high metallicity ($[M/H] = 0.5$), required to fit the lines may imply that the primary is a chemically peculiar star. We observe that the radial velocity of the secondary's lines varies with time, while that of the the primary does not. By fitting these variations we derive the orbital parameters of the system. We find an orbital period of $104\pm5$ d, and a mass ratio ($M_{\rm P}/M_{\rm S}$) larger than 2.9. The intensity spectrum is heavily contaminated with strong, broad and variable emission. A simple analysis of these lines reveals that a disk might surround the binary, and that a wind occurs in the environment of the system. Finally, we performed a magnetic analysis using the Least-Squares Deconvolved (LSD) profiles of the Stokes $V$ spectra of both stars, and adopting the oblique rotator model. From rotational modulation of the primary's Stokes $V$ signatures, we infer its rotation period $P=4.31276\pm0.00042$ d, and find that it hosts a centred dipole magnetic field of polar strength $2.12\pm0.15$ kG, with a magnetic obliquity $β= 66\pm5^{\circ}$, and a rotation axis inclination $i=32\pm5^{\circ}$. However, no magnetic field is detected in the secondary, and if it hosts a dipolar magnetic field, its strength must be below about 500 G, to be consistent with our observations.

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arXiv2009

Discovery of a weak magnetic field in the photosphere of the single giant Pollux

Aims: We observe the nearby, weakly-active single giant, Pollux, in order to directly study and infer the nature of its magnetic field. Methods: We used the new generation spectropolarimeters ESPaDOnS and NARVAL to observe and detect circular polarization within the photospheric absorption lines of Pollux. Our observations span 18 months from 2007-2009. We treated the spectropolarimetric data using the Least-Squares Deconvolution method to create high signal-to-noise ratio mean Stokes V profiles. We also measured the classical activity indicator S-index for the Ca H&K lines, and the stellar radial velocity (RV). Results: We have unambiguously detected a weak Stokes V signal in the spectral lines of Pollux, and measured the related surface-averaged longitudinal magnetic field Bl. The longitudinal field averaged over the span of the observations is below one gauss. Our data suggest variations of the longitudinal magnetic field, but no significant variation of the S-index. We observe variations of RV which are qualitatively consistent with the published ephemeris for a proposed exoplanet orbiting Pollux. The observed variations of Bl appear to mimic those of RV, but additional data for this relationship to be established. Using evolutionary models including the effects of rotation, we derive the mass of Pollux and we discuss its evolutionary status and the origin of its magnetic field. Conclusions: This work presents the first direct detection of the magnetic field of Pollux, and demonstrates that ESPaDOnS and NARVAL are capable of obtaining sub-G measurements of the surface-averaged longitudinal magnetic field of giant stars, and of directly studying the relationships between magnetic activity, stellar evolution and planet hosting of these stars.

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arXiv2009

The chemical abundance analysis of normal early A- and late B-type stars

Modern spectroscopy of early-type stars often aims at studying complex physical phenomena. Comparatively less attention is paid to identifying and studying the "normal" A- and B-type stars and testing how the basic atomic parameters and standard spectral analysis allow one to fit the observations. We wish to stablish whether the chemical composition of the solar photosphere can be regarded as a reference for early A- and late B-type stars. We have obtained optical high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio spectra of three slowly rotating early-type stars (HD 145788, 21 Peg and pi Cet) that show no obvious sign of chemical peculiarity, and performed a very accurate LTE abundance analysis of up to 38 ions of 26 elements (for 21 Peg), using a vast amount of spectral lines visible in the spectral region covered by our spectra. We provide an exhaustive description of the abundance characteristics of the three analysed stars with a critical review of the line parameters used to derive the abundances. We compiled a table of atomic data for more than 1100 measured lines that may be used in the future as a reference. The abundances we obtained for He, C, Al, S, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Sr, Y, and Zr are compatible with the solar ones derived with recent 3D radiative-hydrodynamical simulations of the solar photosphere. The abundances of the remaining studied elements show some degree of discrepancy compared to the solar photosphere. Those of N, Na, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, and Nd may well be ascribed to non-LTE effects; for P, Cl, Sc and Co, non-LTE effects are totally unknown; O, Ne, Ar, and Ba show discrepancies that cannot be ascribed to non-LTE effects. The discrepancies obtained for O (in two stars) and Ne agree with very recent non-LTE abundance analysis of early B-type stars in the solar neighbourhood.

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arXiv2009

On the incidence of magnetic fields in slowly-pulsating B, Beta Cephei and B-type emission line stars

We have obtained 40 high-resolution circular spectropolarimetric measurements of 12 slowly-pulsating B (SPB) stars, 8 Beta Cephei stars and two Be stars with the ESPaDOnS and NARVAL spectropolarimeters. The aim of these observations is to evaluate recent claims of a high incidence of magnetic field detections in stars of these types obtained using low-resolution spectropolarimetry by Hubrig (2006), Hubrig (2007) and Hubrig (2009). The precision achieved is generally comparable to or superior to that obtained by Hubrig et al., although our new observations are distinguished by their resolution of metallic and He line profiles, and their consequent sensitivity to magnetic fields of zero net longitudinal component. In the SPB stars we confirm the detection of magnetic field in one star (16 Peg), but find no evidence of the presence of fields in the remaining 11. In the Beta Cep stars, we detect a field in xi^1 CMa, but not in any of the remaining 7 stars. Finally, neither of the two B-type emission line stars shows any evidence of magnetic field. Based on our results, we conclude that fields are not common in SPB, Beta Cep and B-type emission line stars, consistent with the general rarity of fields in the broader population of main sequence B-type stars.

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arXiv2009

Magnetism of Herbig Ae/Be stars

Observations of magnetic fields of stars at the pre-main sequence phase can provide important new insights into the complex physics of the late stages of star formation. This is especially true at intermediate stellar masses, where magnetic fields are strong and globally organised, and therefore most amenable to direct study. Recent circularly-polarised spectroscopic observations of pre-main sequence Herbig Ae/Be stars have revealed the presence of organised magnetic fields in the photospheres of a small fraction of these objects. To date, 9 magnetic HAeBe stars have been detected, and those detections confirmed by repeated observations. The morphology and variability of their Stokes V signatures indicates that their magnetic fields have important dipole components of kG strength, and that the dipole is stable on timescales ofat least years. These magnetic stars exhibit a large range of stellar mass, from about 2-13 solar masses, and diverse rotational properties, with vsini from a few km/s to 200 km/s. Most magnetic HAeBe stars show approximately solar abundances; they clearly do not generally exhibit the strong and systematic peculiarities of the magnetic main sequence A and B type stars (the Ap/Bp stars). The observed fractional bulk incidence of magnetic HAeBe stars is about 7%, a value compatible with the incidence of magnetic intermediate-mass stars on the main sequence. This low incidence is at odds with formation scenarios generally involving magnetically-mediated accretion. The similarily between the magnetic properties of the pre-main sequence and main sequence intermediate-mass stars appears compatible with the hypothesis of a fossil origin of magnetism in these objects.

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arXiv2009

The MiMeS Project: Magnetism in Massive Stars

The Magnetism in Massive Stars (MiMeS) Project is a consensus collaboration among the foremost international researchers of the physics of hot, massive stars, with the basic aim of understanding the origin, evolution and impact of magnetic fields in these objects. The cornerstone of the project is the MiMeS Large Program at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, which represents a dedication of 640 hours of telescope time from 2008-2012. The MiMeS Large Program will exploit the unique capabilities of the ESPaDOnS spectropolarimeter to obtain critical missing information about the poorly-studied magnetic properties of these important stars, to confront current models and to guide theory.

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arXiv2008

The MiMeS Project: First Results

Massive stars are those stars with initial masses above about 8 times that of the sun, eventually leading to catastrophic explosions in the form of supernovae. These represent the most massive and luminous stellar component of the Universe, and are the crucibles in which the lion's share of the chemical elements are forged. These rapidly-evolving stars drive the chemistry, structure and evolution of galaxies, dominating the ecology of the Universe - not only as supernovae, but also during their entire lifetimes - with far-reaching consequences. Although the existence of magnetic fields in massive stars is no longer in question, our knowledge of the basic statistical properties of massive star magnetic fields is seriously incomplete. The Magnetism in Massive Stars (MiMeS) Project represents a comprehensive, multidisciplinary strategy by an international team of recognized researchers to address the "big questions" related to the complex and puzzling magnetism of massive stars. This paper present the first results of the MiMeS Large Program at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope.

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arXiv2008

Discovery of non-radial pulsations in the spectroscopic binary Herbig Ae star RS Cha

In this article we present a first discovery of non radial pulsations in both components of the Herbig Ae spectroscopic binary star RS Cha. The binary was monitored in quasi-continuous observations during 14 observing nights (Jan 2006) at the 1m Mt John (New Zealand) telescope with the Hercules high-resolution echelle spectrograph. The cumulated exposure time on the star was 44 hrs, corresponding to 255 individual high-resolution echelle spectra with $R = 45000$. Least square deconvolved spectra (LSD) were obtained for each spectrum representing the effective photospheric absorption profile modified by pulsations. Difference spectra were calculated by subtracting rotationally broadened artificial profiles; these residual spectra were analysed and non-radial pulsations were detected. A subsequent analysis with two complementary methods, namely Fourier Parameter Fit (FPF) and Fourier 2D (F2D) has been performed and first constraints on the pulsation modes have been derived. In fact, both components of the spectroscopic binary are Herbig Ae stars and both show NRPs. The FPF method identified 2 modes for the primary component with (degree l, azimuthal number m) couples ordered by decreasing probability: f_1 = 21.11 c/d with (l,m) = (11,11), (11,9) or (10,6) and f_2 = 30.38 c/d with (l,m) = (10,6) or (9,5). The F2D analysis indicates for f_1 a degree l = 8-10. For the secondary component, the FPF method identified 3 modes with (l,m) ordered by decreasing probability: f_1 = 12.81 c/d with (l,m) = (2,1) or (2,2), f_2b = 19.11 c/d with (l,m) = (13,5) or (10,5) and f_3 = 24.56 c/d with (l,m) = (6,3) or (6,5). The F2D analysis indicates for f_1 a degree l = 2 or 3, but proposes a contradictory identification of f_2 as a radial pulsation (l = 0).

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arXiv2008

Discovery of fossil magnetic fields in the intermediate-mass pre-main sequence stars

It is now well-known that the surface magnetic fields observed in cool, lower-mass stars on the main sequence (MS) are generated by dynamos operating in their convective envelopes. However, higher-mass stars (above 1.5 Msun) pass their MS lives with a small convective core and a largely radiative envelope. Remarkably, notwithstanding the absence of energetically-important envelope convection, we observe very strong (from 300 G to 30 kG) and organised (mainly dipolar) magnetic fields in a few percent of the A and B-type stars on the MS, the origin of which is not well understood. In this poster we propose that these magnetic fields could be of fossil origin, and we present very strong observational results in favour of this proposal.

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arXiv2008

Magnetic fields, winds and X-rays of massive stars in the Orion Nebula Cluster

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arXiv2008

EK Eridani: the tip of the iceberg of giants which have evolved from magnetic Ap stars

We observe the slowly-rotating, active, single giant, EK Eri, to study and infer the nature of its magnetic field directly. We used the spectropolarimeter NARVAL at the Telescope Bernard Lyot, Pic du Midi Observatory, and the Least Square Deconvolution method to create high signal-to-noise ratio Stokes V profiles. We fitted the Stokes V profiles with a model of the large-scale magnetic field. We studied the classical activity indicators, the CaII H and K lines, the CaII infrared triplet, and Hαline. We detected the Stokes V signal of EK Eri securely and measured the longitudinal magnetic field Bl for seven individual dates spanning 60% of the rotational period. The measured longitudinal magnetic field of EK Eri reached about 100 G and was as strong as fields observed in RSCVn or FK Com type stars: this was found to be extraordinary when compared with the weak fields observed at the surfaces of slowly-rotating MS stars or any single red giant previously observed with NARVAL. From our modeling, we infer that the mean surface magnetic field is about 270 G, and that the large scale magnetic field is dominated by a poloidal component. This is compatible with expectations for the descendant of a strongly magnetic Ap star.

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arXiv2008

Magnetic fields, winds and X-rays of massive stars: A spectropolarimetric survey of the Orion cluster

In massive stars, magnetic fields are thought to confine the outflowing radiatively-driven wind, resulting in X-ray emission that is harder, more variable and more efficient than that produced by instability-generated shocks in non-magnetic winds. Although magnetic confinement of stellar winds has been shown to strongly modify the mass-loss and X-ray characteristics of massive OB stars, we lack a detailed understanding of the complex processes responsible. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between magnetism, stellar winds and X-ray emission of OB stars. In conjunction with a Chandra survey of the Orion Nebula Cluster, we carried out spectropolarimatric ESPaDOnS observations to determine the magnetic properties of massive OB stars of this cluster. We found of two new massive magnetic stars in the Orion Nebula Cluster: HD 36982 and HD 37061, for which the estimated dipole polar strengths are 1150 (+320 -200) G and 620 (+220 -170) G, respectively. However, the apparent lack of clear correlation between X-ray indicator and the presence of a magnetic fields brings forth new challenges for understanding the processes leading to X-ray emission in massive stars.

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arXiv2008

Magnetic topologies of the Herbig Ae/Be stars

Our recent discoveries of magnetic fields in a small number of Herbig Ae/Be (HAeBe) stars, the evolutionary progenitors of main sequence A/B stars, raise new questions about the origin of magnetic fields in the intermediate mass stars. The favoured fossil field hypothesis suggests that a few percent of magnetic pre-main sequence A/B stars should exhibit similar magnetic strengths and topologies to the magnetic Ap/Bp stars. In this talk I will present the methods that we have used to characterise the magnetic fields of the Herbig Ae/Be stars, as well as our first conclusions on the origin of magnetism in intermediate-mass stars.

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arXiv2008

Magnetic fields and chemical peculiarities of the very young intermediate-mass binary system HD 72106

The recently discovered magnetic Herbig Ae and Be stars may provide qualitatively new information about the formation and evolution of magnetic Ap and Bp stars. We have performed a detailed investigation of one particularly interesting binary system with a Herbig Ae secondary and a late B-type primary possessing a strong, globally ordered magnetic field. Twenty high-resolution Stokes V spectra of the system were obtained with the ESPaDOnS instrument mounted on the CFHT. In these observations we see clear evidence for a magnetic field in the primary, but no evidence for a magnetic field in the secondary. A detailed abundance analysis was performed for both stars, revealing strong chemical peculiarities in the primary and normal chemical abundances in the secondary. The primary is strongly overabundant in Si, Cr, and other iron-peak elements, as well as Nd, and underabundant in He. The primary therefore appears to be a very young Bp star. In this context, line profile variations of the primary suggest non-uniform lateral distributions of surface abundances. Interpreting the 0.63995 +/- 0.00009 day variation period of the Stokes I and V profiles as the rotational period of the star, we have modeled the magnetic field geometry and the surface abundance distributions of Si, Ti, Cr and Fe using Magnetic Doppler Imaging. We derive a dipolar geometry of the surface magnetic field, with a polar strength of 1230 G and an obliquity of 57 degrees. The distributions Ti, Cr and Fe are all qualitatively similar, with an elongated patch of enhanced abundance situated near the positive magnetic pole. The Si distribution is somewhat different, and its relationship to the magnetic field geometry less clear.

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arXiv2008

Discovery of two magnetic massive stars in the Orion Nebula Cluster: a clue to the origin of neutron star magnetic fields?

The origin of the magnetic fields in neutron stars, and the physical differences between magnetars and strongly magnetised radio pulsars are still under vigorous debate. It has been suggested that the properties of the progenitors of neutron stars (the massive OB stars), such as rotation, magnetic fields and mass, may play an important role in the outcome of core collapse leading to type II SNe. Therefore, knowing the magnetic properties of the progenitor OB stars would be an important asset for constraining models of stellar evolution leading to the birth of a neutron star. We present here the beginning of a broad study with the goal of characterising the magnetic properties of main sequence massive OB stars. We report the detection of two new massive magnetic stars in the Orion Nebula Cluster: Par 1772 (HD 36982) and NU Ori (HD 37061), for which the estimated dipole polar strengths, with 1 sigma error bars, are 1150 (+320,-200) G and 650 (+220,-170) G respectively.

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