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Klaus Werner

Publications and source records attributed to Klaus Werner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Studying hot evolved stars with ultraviolet spectroscopy

Hot evolved stars are key objects to reconstruct the various evolutionary pathways of Sun-like stars, to probe binary interactions and the physics of supernovae. They serve as powerful observational constraints to test diffusion, mixing, and mass loss in hot stellar atmospheres. Furthermore, hot stars serve as laboratories to test and derive atomic data for highly ionised trans-iron group elements and to investigate different nucleosynthesis models. Hot evolved stars emit most of their flux in the ultraviolet (UV) and a lot of progress has been made in characterizing their UV-spectra both on the observational and on the modelling side. The unique capabilities of HST to obtain high- and medium-resolution UV-spectra played a crucial role and are needed to further advance this field also in preparation for HWO.

astro-ph.IM

A systematic survey for hypervelocity runaways from thermonuclear supernovae

The explosion of a white dwarf (WD) in a close binary can launch a surviving runaway star at velocities of $\gtrsim 1000\, \rm km\,s^{-1}$. Such runaways provide a direct probe of thermonuclear supernovae (SNe) in double-degenerate binaries. Several candidate runaways are known, but their evolutionary states and the demographics of the broader population are uncertain. To enable robust population inference, we carry out a systematic survey for hypervelocity runaways with a simple selection function, selecting candidates based on large Gaia-inferred tangential velocities and blue colors. We classify 100% of the resulting 92 candidates using a combination of spectroscopic follow-up and archival data. The search yields ten suspected D$^6$ stars and three LP 40-365 stars. Three D$^6$ stars are new discoveries, including two hot ($T_{\rm eff} > 50,000$ K) objects and one cool ($T_{\rm eff}\approx 7,000$ K) object. We forward-model our survey under several proposed D$^6$ star evolutionary models, coupling each to a Galactic model and the survey selection function. No single model reproduces the observed diversity of D$^6$ stars, which likely reflects a range of remnant masses, ages, and heating mechanisms. Models in which runaway companions are heated by SN shocks alone are too faint and short-lived to explain most of the observed sample, while fully reheated models are too luminous and long-lived. Models with intermediate heating, as occurs in some simulations of violent mergers and partially disrupted remnants, best match the observed magnitude, distance, and kinematic-age distributions. The inferred D$^6$ star birth rate is model dependent, but the models that best match the observed population require rates of only a few percent of the Galactic SN Ia rate, perhaps implying that most SNe Ia result from WD binaries in which both components explode.

astro-ph.SR

Spectroscopic survey of faint planetary-nebula nuclei. VII. Thirty new hydrogen-deficient central stars

Our ongoing spectroscopic survey of faint planetary-nebula nuclei (PNNi) has revealed 30 new hydrogen-deficient central stars. The majority of them (21) belong to the PG1159 spectral class (having He-C-O-dominated atmospheres). They increase the number of known PN central stars of this type from 25 to 46. Our spectral analysis finds that their effective temperatures are high (T$_{\rm eff}$ = 110,000 - 180,000 K), locating them in the GW Vir pulsational instability strip. Future photometric observations should therefore substantially increase the number of known PNN pulsators (currently, it is nine). We found six new members of the O(He) spectral type (with He-dominated atmospheres; T$_{\rm eff}$ = 120,000 - 150,000 K), tripling the number of known PNNi of this class. Finally, we identified three hot helium-rich white dwarfs with traces of carbon and/or nitrogen (spectral type DOZ; T$_{\rm eff}$ = 70,000 - 100,000 K). They are the first objects of this spectral class found to be associated with a planetary nebula.

astro-ph.SR

Isospin-symmetry violation -- kaons and beyond (ISO-BREAK 25: summary and outlook)

This report summarizes the presentations and discussions during the ISO-BREAK 25 Workshop ``Isospin symmetry violation: kaons and beyond'', which was held at Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce on October 23-25, 2025. We address the current status of the isospin-symmetry breaking discovered by NA61/SHINE in nucleus-nucleus collisions at the CERN SPS, its confirmation by other experiments and studies in \ee and deep inelastic scattering. In addition, we discuss the theoretical status as well as we outline experimental and theoretical priorities towards understanding this currently unexplained phenomenon.

nucl-ex

Neutron star atmospheres composed of fusion ashes

Here we present models of hot neutron star (NS) atmospheres consisting of thermonuclear ashes of various chemical compositions. These models are essential for studying thermonuclear flashes in X-ray bursting NSs in which nuclear-burning ashes are transported to the stellar surface. We consider four different mixtures, each dominated by helium, chromium, iron, or nickel. In addition to the opacity sources previously used in NS atmosphere modeling, we include photoionization from excited ionic states as well as approximately 5000 spectral lines. We also develop a method that enables the simultaneous treatment of Compton scattering and a large number of spectral lines. A key feature of the modeled NS atmospheres is the presence of a layer in the transition region between the optically thin and optically thick parts of the atmosphere where the radiation-pressure force increases significantly. This enhanced force sets an upper limit on the maximum attainable bolometric flux for a given surface gravity and chemical composition. The emergent spectra from the computed atmospheres display pronounced absorption edges, whose energies are determined by the dominant chemical species. We fit the model spectra using a diluted blackbody modified by a single absorption edge, and we investigate how the fit parameters depend on both the relative bolometric flux and the chemical composition of the atmosphere. Finally, we discuss constraints on these models imposed by the properties of X-ray bursts that exhibit absorption edges in their spectra, as observed in the systems HETE~J1900.1$-$2455 and GRS~1747$-$312.

astro-ph.HE

Probe charmonium-nucleon interactions in high energy proton-proton collisions

We investigate charmonium production and the charmonium-nucleon correlation function in pp collisions using the EPOS4+CATS framework. For the first time, the emission source of charmonium-proton pairs is dynamically generated and found to be non-Gaussian. This enables a femtoscopic extraction of the charmonium-proton interaction directly from experimental correlation functions. Both ground and excited charmonium states are included. We find that feed-down from excited charmonium states can induce sizable modifications to the observed prompt $J/\psi$-proton correlation function, even when the correlation deviates from unity by less than one, reflecting the stronger interactions of the excited states.

hep-ph

Spectral evolution of hot hybrid white dwarfs: II. Photometry

We present a photometric analysis of 19 DA and 13 DAO white dwarfs (WDs) with effective temperatures exceeding 60 kK, building on the spectral analysis reported in the first paper of this two-part study. By examining archival light curves for periodic signals, we identify that four of the 32 objects ($13^{+8}_{-4}$%) exhibit photometric variability. Spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting allowed us to derive radii, luminosities, and gravity masses, as well as to characterise the infrared excesses observed in six sources. A notable discovery is the identification of a 1.87 d period in the ZTF light curves of WD1342+443 and weak emission lines in the optical spectra of this star, which strongly indicate an irradiation effect system. Our SED fit indicates the presence of cool dust, which must be located farther from the star, and that any companion with a spectral type earlier than L2.0 would appear in the SED. This leads us to speculate that WD1342+443 might have an irradiated, sub-stellar companion. We also highlight that we uncovered, for the first time, a 4.23 d photometric period in the well-known, close DA+dM binary WD0232+035, based on TESS data. We find that the phase and amplitude of the light curve variations are consistent with expectations from an irradiation effect. Intriguingly, we detected an additional, mysterious period at 1.39 d, which is approximately one-third of the orbital period. Moreover, we revisited the longstanding discrepancy between Kiel and gravity masses for the hottest WDs. To address this, we explored fully metal line blanketed model atmospheres as a potential solution, contrasting them with the results from pure H and H+He models. Our results show that including metal opacities does not resolve the discrepancy - in fact, it slightly deteriorates the agreement. Finally, we reaffirm the previously observed correlation between He abundance and luminosity.

astro-ph.SR

Correlations between heavy mesons and the creation of the charmonia, bottomonia, and $B_c$ mesons in high energy $pp$ collisions

The different QCD processes, which can produce a heavy quark-antiquark ($Q\bar Q$) pair, induce different correlations between the heavy quarks. Employing the EPOS4HQ event generator we study the consequences of these correlations and compare the calculation with experimental results on open and hidden heavy flavour mesons, measured in proton-proton (pp) collisions at RHIC and LHC energies. We find that the measured correlations between heavy mesons are a direct image of the different production mechanisms, which contribute also in a different way to the transverse momentum distribution of open and hidden heavy flavour mesons. The latter are calculated in a Wigner density approach which also enables to reproduce quantitatively the measured $B_c$ spectra. This agreement allows conclusions on the spatial distribution of the heavy quark creation processes.

hep-ph

Heavy flavor correlations and Quarkonia production in high energy pp collisions in the EPOS4 framework

In QCD, the production of heavy quark-antiquark pairs can proceed through different mechanisms, each imprinting characteristic correlations between the heavy quarks. In this work, we use the EPOS4 event generator to study how these correlations affect quarkonium production in pp collisions. Our results demonstrate that the observed correlations between heavy mesons directly reflect the underlying production mechanisms and simultaneously shape the transverse-momentum distributions of quarkonia.

hep-ph

Disentangling Initial-State and Evolution Effects in Heavy-Ion Collisions Using EPOS and PHSD

In this study we examine the impact of the initial stage and dynamical evolution on final-state observables in heavy-ion collisions. For this goal we develop a novel approach, EPOSir+PHSDe, which employs EPOS initial conditions as the starting point for parton and hadron evolution within the PHSD microscopic transport approach. By examining the space-time evolution of matter in this model and comparing to EPOS (which starts with an S-matrix approach for parallel scatterings for the initial conditions and uses a hydrodynamic evolution for the quark-gluon plasma stage with the UrQMD as afterburner) and PHSD (which starts with primary high energy $NN$ scattering realized via the LUND string model and continues with fully microscopic transport dynamics for strongly interacting partonic and hadronic matter), we identify the key differences in the final particle distributions among the three approaches. Our analysis focuses on rapidity, transverse momentum spectra, and flow harmonics $v_2$ for Au+Au collisions at the invariant energy of $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV. We find a dominant influence of dynamical evolution over the initial conditions on the final observables.

hep-ph

Road map for the tuning of hadronic interaction models with accelerator-based and astroparticle data

In high-energy and astroparticle physics, event generators play an essential role, even in the simplest data analyses. As analysis techniques become more sophisticated, e.g. based on deep neural networks, their correct description of the observed event characteristics becomes even more important. Physical processes occurring in hadronic collisions are simulated within a Monte Carlo framework. A major challenge is the modeling of hadron dynamics at low momentum transfer, which includes the initial and final phases of every hadronic collision. QCD-inspired phenomenological models used for these phases cannot guarantee completeness or correctness over the full phase space. These models usually include parameters which must be tuned to suitable experimental data. Until now, event generators have been developed and tuned mainly on the basis of data from high-energy physics experiments at accelerators. The wealth of data available from the latest generation of astroparticle experiments has not yet been fully exploited, and in many cases is not satisfactorily described. Both kinds of data sets are complementary as astroparticle experiments provide sensitivity especially to hadrons produced nearly parallel to the collision axis and cover center-of-mass energies up to several hundred TeV, well beyond those reached at colliders so far. In this report, we provide an overview of state-of-the-art event generators and their tuning, including the most relevant inputs from high-energy accelerator and astroparticle experiments. We present a road map that shows, for the first time, how the unified tuning of event generators with accelerator-based and astroparticle data can be performed.

astro-ph.HE

Flow in small systems in the EPOS4 approach for high-energy scatterings

EPOS4 is based on a sophisticated (recently significantly improved) parallel-primary-scattering scenario followed by a hydrodynamic expansion, for all collision systems, from small ones such as proton-proton ($pp$) to big ones such as lead-lead (PbPb). Having already reported on identified particle spectra in recent publications (providing information about radial flow), I discuss here the multiplicity dependence of multi-particle cumulants and flow harmonics, to better understand collectivity in small systems. The model is not particularly tuned for flow results, but it is a "general purpose" approach, trying to accommodate various types of observables with the same model.

hep-ph

EPOS.LHC-R : a global approach to solve the muon puzzle

The hadron production in the simulation of extensive air showers is a long standing problem and the origin of large uncertainties in the reconstruction of the mass of the high energy primary cosmic rays. Hadronic interaction models re-tuned after early LHC data give more consistent results among each other compared to the first generation of models, but still can't reproduce extended air shower data (EAS) consistently resulting in the so-called "muon puzzle". Using more recent LHC data like in the QGSJET-III model improve further the description of EAS by such a model but is not enough to resolve the discrepancy. On the other hand, the EPOS project is a theoretical global approach aiming at describing data from very fundamental electron-positron interactions to central heavy ions collisions. We will demonstrate that this approach can provide new constraints, changing the correlation between the measured data at mid-rapidity and the predicted particle production at large rapidities, which drive the EAS development. Thus, using the same accelerator data, different predictions are obtained in air shower simulations in much better agreement with the current air shower data (for both the maximum shower development depth Xmax and the energy spectrum of the muons at ground). Using the EPOS LHC-R model, the detailed changes will be addressed and their consequences on EAS observable at various energies.

astro-ph.HE

How an overweight and rapidly rotating PG 1159 star in the Galactic halo challenges evolutionary models

PG 1159 stars are thought to be progenitors of the majority of H-deficient white dwarfs. Their unusual He-, C-, and O-dominated surface composition is typically believed to result from a late thermal pulse experienced by a single (pre-)white dwarf. Yet, other formation channels - involving close binary evolution - have recently been proposed and could lead to similar surface compositions. Here we present a non-local thermodynamic equilibrium spectral analysis based on new UV and archival optical spectra of one of the hottest PG 1159 stars, $\text{RX J}0122.9\text{ -}7521$. We find $T_\text{eff} = 175$ kK and a surface gravity of log $g = 7.7$, and an astonishingly low O/C ratio of $7.3 \times 10^{-3}$ by mass. By combining the spectroscopic surface gravity and Gaia parallax with a spectral energy distribution fit, we derive a mass of $M_\text{spec} = 1.8^{+1.1}_{-0.7}$ $M_\odot$. Although this spectroscopic mass is higher than predicted by evolutionary models, it is subject to substantial uncertainty. Furthermore, we find that $\text{RX J}0122.9\text{ -}7521$ shows strongly rotationally broadened lines, suggesting that the previously reported photometric period of $41$ min indeed corresponds to the rotational period of this star. Our kinematic analysis shows that $\text{RX J}0122.9\text{ -}7521$ belongs to the Galactic halo, which - assuming single-star evolution - is in stark contrast to its relatively high mass. The rapid rotation, high mass, and halo kinematics, as well as the lack of evidence for a close companion, lead us to believe that $\text{RX J}0122.9\text{ -}7521$ formed through the merger of two white dwarfs. Yet, none of the current models can explain the surface abundances of $\text{RX J}0122.9\text{ -}7521$.

astro-ph.SR

Variability of Central Stars of Planetary Nebulae with the Zwicky Transient Facility. II. Long-Timescale Variables including Wide Binary and Late Thermal Pulse Candidates

In this second paper on our variability survey of central stars of planetary nebulae (CSPNe) using ZTF, we report 11 long-timescale variables with variability timescales ranging from months to years. We also present preliminary analyses based on spectroscopic and/or photometric follow-up observations for six of them. Among them is NGC 6833, which shows a $980$ day periodic variability with strange characteristics: `triangle-shaped' brightening in $r$, $i$, and WISE bands but almost coincidental shallow dips in the $g$-band. The most plausible explanation is a wide binary with the photometric period being the orbital period. Long-period near-sinusoidal variability was detected in two other systems, NGC 6905 and Kn 26, with periods of $700$ days and $230$ days, respectively, making them additional wide-binary candidates. The latter also shows a short period at $1.18$ hours. We then present CTSS 2 and K 3-5, which show brightening and significant reddening over the whole ZTF baseline. A stellar model fit to the optical spectrum of CTSS 2 reveals it to be one of the youngest post-AGB CSPNe known. Both show high-density emission-line cores. We propose these to be late-thermal-pulse candidates, currently evolving towards the AGB phase. We then present recent HST/COS ultraviolet spectroscopy of the known wide-binary candidate LoTr 1, showing that the hot star is a spectroscopic twin of the extremely hot white dwarf in UCAC2 46706450. Similar to this object, LoTr 1 also has a fast-rotating wide subgiant companion. We suggest that the long photometric period of 11 years is the binary orbital period. Finally, we briefly discuss the ZTF light curves of the remaining variables, namely Tan 2, K 3-20, WHTZ 3, Kn J1857+3931, and IPHAS J1927+0814. With these examples, we present the effectiveness of the von Neumann statistics and Pearson Skew-based metric space in searching for long-timescale variables.

astro-ph.SR

Three new hot hydrogen-deficient pre-white dwarfs

We have detected three new hydrogen-deficient (H < 0.001 mass fraction) pre-white dwarfs (WDs) with helium-dominated atmospheres. The first object is a relatively cool PG1159 star (effective temperature Teff = 72,000 K) that has the lowest surface gravity of any PG1159 star known (log g = 4.8). It is a PG1159 star in the earliest pre-WD phase. The second object is a hot subdwarf O (sdO) star (Teff = 50,000 K, log g = 5.3) with high carbon and oxygen abundances. It is only the third known member of the recently established CO-sdO spectral class, which comprises stars that are thought to be formed by a merger of a disrupted low-mass CO WD with a higher-mass He WD. The third object is one of the rare stars of spectral type O(He) (Teff = 90,000 K, log g = 5.5).

astro-ph.SR

Spectral evolution of hot hybrid white dwarfs I. Spectral analysis

Hydrogen-rich white dwarfs (WDs) comprise the majority of the WD population, but are only rarely found at the very hot end of the WD cooling sequence. A small subgroup that exhibits both hydrogen and helium lines in their spectra, the so-called hybrid (or DAO) WDs, represents the majority of hydrogen-rich WDs at effective temperatures $T_{eff}$ $\approx$ 100 kK. We aim to understand the spectral evolution of hot hybrid WDs. Although small in number, they represent an evolutionary phase for most ($\approx$ 75 %) WDs. We conducted a nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) analysis with fully metal line blanketed model atmospheres for the ultraviolet (UV) and optical spectra of a sample of 19 DA and 13 DAO WDs with $T_{eff}$ $>$ 60 kK. The UV spectra allow us to precisely measure the temperature through model fits to metal lines in different ionization stages. This enables us to place the WDs accurately on the cooling sequence. In contrast to earlier studies that typically relied on temperature measurements made from hydrogen lines alone, all DAOs in our sample are clearly hotter than the DAs. DAOs transform into DAs when they cool to $T_{eff}$ $\approx$ 75$-$85 kK, depending on their mass. Along the cooling sequence, we witness a gradual decrease in the abundance of helium and the CNO elements in the DAOs due to gravitational settling. Simultaneously, iron and nickel abundances increase up to the transition region because radiative forces act more efficiently on them. This is followed by a steady decline. We discuss the implications of our results on atomic diffusion theory and on the role of weak radiation-driven winds in hot hydrogen-rich WDs.

astro-ph.SR