arXiv subjects

Z. Han

Publications and source records attributed to Z. Han.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

Binary interactions and UV photometry on photometric redshift

Using the Hyperz code (Bolzonella et al. 2000) we present photometric redshift estimates for a random sample of galaxies selected from the SDSS/DR7 and GALEX/DR4, for which spectroscopic redshifts are also available. We confirm that the inclusion of ultraviolet photometry improves the accuracy of photo-zs for those galaxies with g*-r* < 0.7 and z_spec < 0.2. We also address the problem of how binary interactions can affect photo-z estimates, and find that their effect is negligible.

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arXiv2010

The Influence of Binary Interactions in Infrared passbands of populations

In our evolutionary population synthesis models, the samples of binaries are reproduced by the 'patched' Monte Carlo simulation and the stellar masses, integrated J, H, K, L, L2 and M magnitudes, mass-to-light ratios and broad colours involving infrared bands are presented, for an extensive set of instantaneous-burst binary stellar populations. In addition, the fluctuations in the integrated colours, which have been given by Zhang et al. (2005), are reduced. By comparing the results for binary stellar populations with (Model A) and without (Model B) binary interactions we show that the inclusion of binary interactions makes the stellar mass of a binary stellar population smaller (~3.6-4.5% during the past 15Gyr); magnitudes greater (except U, ~0.18mag at the most); colours smaller (~0.15mag for V-K at the most); the mass-to-light ratios greater (~0.06 for K-band) except those in the U and B passbands at higher metallicities. And, Binary interactions make the V magnitude less sensitive to age, R and I magnitudes more sensitive to metallicity. Given an age, the absolute values of the differences in the stellar mass, magnitudes, mass-to-light ratios (except those in the U and B bands) between Models A and B reach the maximum at Z=0.0001, i.e., the effects of binary interactions on these parameters reach the maximum, while the differences in some colours reach the maximum at Z ~0.01-0.0004. On the contrary, the absolute value of the difference in the stellar mass is minimal at Z=0.03, those in the U,B,V magnitudes and the mass-to-light ratios in the U and B bands reach the minimum at Z ~0.01-0.004.

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arXiv2010

The effects of UV photometry and binary interactions on photometric redshift and galaxy morphology

Using the Hyperz code and a template spectral library which consists of 4 observed galaxy spectra from Coleman, Wu & Weedman (CWW, 1980) and 8 spectral families built with evolutionary population synthesis models, we present photometric redshift estimates (photo-z) for a spectroscopic sample of 6,531 galaxies, and morphologies for a morphological sample of 1,502 bright galaxies. All galaxies are matched with the SDSS DR7 and GALEX DR4. The inclusion of Fuv or Nuv or both photometry decreases the number of catastrophic identifications (CIs, |z_phot -z_spec| > 1.0). If CIs are removed, the inclusion of both Fuv and Nuv photometry mainly increases the number of non-CIs in the low redshift, g-r < 0.8 and fainter r-magnitude regions. The inclusion of binary interactions (BIs) mainly increases the number of non-CIs and decreases the deviations in the 0.3 < g-r < 0.8 region in the case of only using optical photometry. The inclusion of UV photometry would decrease and increase the probability that early types are classified as Burst and E types, respectively, and increase that late types are classified as CWW-Sbc and CWW-Scd types. If CIs are excluded, the inclusion of UV data mainly raises the identifications of late types in all redshift, bluer g-r and r > 14 regions. Moreover, BIs mainly affect the determinations of E and S0 types. Nuv -u = 1.94 and 5.77-1.47(u-r) = Fuv discriminators can be used as morphology selection indicators. These two criteria have comparable reliability and completeness for selecting early- and late-type galaxies to C=2.6 criterion and higher completeness for early-type selection than u-r=2.22 criterion.

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arXiv2010

Radially extended kinematics and stellar populations of the massive ellipticals NGC1600, NGC4125 and NGC7619. Constraints on the outer dark halo density profile

We present high quality long slit spectra along the major and minor axes out to 1.5-2 Re (14-22 kpc) of three bright elliptical galaxies (NGC1600, NGC4125, NGC7619) obtained at the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET). We derive stellar kinematic profiles and Lick/IDS indices (Hbeta, Mgb, Fe5015, Fe5270, Fe5335, Fe5406). Moreover, for NGC4125 we derive gas kinematics and emission line strengths. We model the absorption line strengths using Simple Stellar Populations models that take into account the variation of [α/Fe] and derive ages, total metallicity and element abundances. Overall, we find that the three galaxies have old and [α/Fe] overabundant stellar populations with no significant gradients. The metallicity is supersolar at the center with a strong negative radial gradient. For NGC4125, several pieces of evidence point to a recent dissipational merger event. We calculate the broad band color profiles with the help of SSP models. All of the colors show sharp peaks at the center of the galaxies, mainly caused by the metallicity gradients, and agree well with the measured colors. Using the Schwarzschild's axisymmetric orbit superposition technique, we model the stellar kinematics to constrain the dark halos of the galaxies. We use the tight correlation between the Mgb strength and local escape velocity to set limits on the extent of the halos by testing different halo sizes. Logarithmic halos - cut at 60 kpc -minimize the overall scatter of the Mgb-Vesc relation. Larger cutoff radii are found if the dark matter density profile is decreasing more steeply at large radii.

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arXiv2010

Ultra-cool Dwarfs from Large Area Surveys

We selected brown dwarf candidates from the seventh Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS DR7) with new photometric selectioncriteria based on a parameteriaztion of well-known L and T dwarfs. Then we confirmed their status with SDSS spectra. The candidates without SDSS spectra are cross matched in the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) and the Fourth Data Release of the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS DR4). With the help of colors based on SDSS, 2MASS and UKIDSS, we are able to estimate spectral types of our candidates. We obtain reliable proper motions using positional and epoch information downloaded direct from the survey databases.

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arXiv2010

Discovery of the first wide L dwarf + giant binary system and eight other ultra-cool dwarfs in wide binaries

We identify 806 ultra-cool dwarfs from their SDSS riz photometry (of which 34 are newly discovered L dwarfs) and obtain proper motions through cross matching with UKIDSS and 2MASS. Proper motion and distance constraints show that nine of our ultra-cool dwarfs are members of widely separated binary systems; SDSS 0101 (K5V+M9.5V), SDSS 0207 (M1.5V+L3V), SDSS 0832 (K3III+L3.5V), SDSS 0858 (M4V+L0V), SDSS 0953 (M4V+M9.5V), SDSS 0956 (M2V+M9V), SDSS 1304 (M4.5V+L0V), SDSS 1631 (M5.5V+M8V), SDSS 1638 (M4V+L0V). One of these (SDSS 0832) is shown to be a companion to the bright K3 giant Eta Cancri. Such primaries can provide age and metallicity constraints for any companion objects, yielding excellent benchmark objects. Eta Cancri AB is the first wide ultra-cool dwarf + giant binary system identified. We present new observations and analysis that constrain the metallicity of Eta Cancri A to be near solar, and use recent evolutionary models to constrain the age of the giant to be 2.2-6.1 Gyr. If Eta Cancri B is a single object, we estimate its physical attributes to be; mass = 63-82 M_Jup, T_eff = 1800+/-150 K, log g = 5.3-5.5, [M/H] = 0.0+/-0.1. Its colours are non typical when compared to other ultra-cool dwarfs, and we also assess the possibility that Eta Cancri B is itself an unresolved binary, showing that the combined light of an L4 + T4 system could provide a reasonable explanation for its colours.

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arXiv2009

Primordial Binary Evolution and Blue Stragglers

Blue stragglers have been found in all populations. These objects are important in both stellar evolution and stellar population synthesis. Much evidence shows that blue stragglers are relevant to primordial binaries. Here, we summarize the links of binary evolution and blue stragglers, describe the characteristics of blue stragglers from different binary evolutionary channels, and show their consequences for binary population synthesis, such as for the integrated spectral energy distribution, the colour-magnitude diagram, the specific frequency, and the influences on colours etc..

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arXiv2009

Evolution of binary stars and its implications for evolutionary population synthesis

Most stars are members of binaries, and the evolution of a star in a close binary system differs from that of an ioslated star due to the proximity of its companion star. The components in a binary system interact in many ways and binary evolution leads to the formation of many peculiar stars, including blue stragglers and hot subdwarfs. We will discuss binary evolution and the formation of blue stragglers and hot subdwarfs, and show that those hot objects are important in the study of evolutionary population synthesis (EPS), and conclude that binary interactions should be included in the study of EPS. Indeed, binary interactions make a stellar population younger (hotter), and the far-ultraviolet (UV) excess in elliptical galaxies is shown to be most likely resulted from binary interactions. This has major implications for understanding the evolution of the far-UV excess and elliptical galaxies in general. In particular, it implies that the far-UV excess is not a sign of age, as had been postulated prviously and predicts that it should not be strongly dependent on the metallicity of the population, but exists universally from dwarf ellipticals to giant ellipticals.

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arXiv2009

The masses of hot subdwarfs

Masses are a fundamental parameter, but they are not well known for most hot subdwarfs. In general, the mass of a hot subdwarf is derived with asteroseismology or dynamical methods, for which it is often difficult to obtain the necessary data from observations. We intend to find an approach to deriving the masses of hot subdwarfs from observational data in the literature. We presented full evolutionary calculations for hot subdwarfs in a wide mass range (0.33 $M_\odot$ to 1.4 $M_\odot$) for a Population I metallicity of $Z$=0.02, and obtained a relation between $M_{\rm p}$ and $\log (\frac{T_{\rm eff}^4}{g})$, where $M_{\rm p}$, $T_{\rm eff}$, and $g$ are the most probable mass, effective temperature, and gravity. This relation is used to study the masses of some observed hot subdwarfs. We proposed a method of determining the masses of hot subdwarfs. Using this method, we studied the masses of hot subdwarfs from the ESO supernova Ia progenitor survey and Hamburg quasar survey. The study shows that most of subdwarf B stars have masses between 0.42 and 0.54 $M_\odot$, whilst most sdO stars are in the range 0.40 $\sim$ 0.55 $M_\odot$. Comparing our study to the theoretical mass distributions of Han et al. (2003), we found that sdO stars with mass less than $\sim$ 0.5 $M_\odot$ may evolve from sdB stars, whilst most high-mass($>$ 0.5 $M_\odot$) sdO stars result from mergers directly.

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arXiv2009

Ultra-cool dwarfs: new discoveries, proper motions, and improved spectral typing from SDSS and 2MASS photometric colors

Aims. We try to identify ultra-cool dwarfs from the seventh Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS DR7) with SDSS i-z and r-z colors. We also obtain proper motion data from SDSS, 2MASS, and UKIDSS and improve spectral typing from SDSS and 2MASS photometric colors. Methods. We selected ultra-cool dwarf candidates from the SDSS DR7 with new photometric selection criteria, which are based on a parameterization study of known L and T dwarfs. The objects are then cross-identified with the Two Micron All Sky Survey and the Fourth Data Release of the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS DR4). We derive proper motion constraints by combining SDSS, 2MASS, and UKIDSS positional information. In this way we are able to assess, to some extent, the credence of our sample using a multi epoch approach, which complements spectroscopic confirmation. Some of the proper motions are affected by short baselines, but, as a general tool, this method offers great potential to confirm faint L dwarfs as UKIDSS coverage increases. In addition we derive updated color-spectral type relations for L and T dwarfs with SDSS and 2MASS magnitudes. Results. We present 59 new nearby M and L dwarfs selected from the imaging catalog of the SDSS DR7, including proper motions and spectral types calculated from the updated color-spectral type relations. and obtain proper motions from SDSS, 2MASS, and UKIDSS for all of our objects.

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arXiv2009

The single-degenerate channel for the progenitor of type Ia supernovae with different metallicities

The single-degenerate channel for the progenitors of type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are currently accepted, in which a carbon-oxygen white dwarf (CO WD) accretes hydrogen-rich material from its companion, increases its mass to the Chandrasekhar mass limit, and then explodes as a SN Ia. Incorporating the prescription of \citet{HAC99a} for the accretion efficiency into Eggleton's stellar evolution code and assuming that the prescription is valid for \emph{all} metallicities, we performed binary stellar evolution calculations for more than 25,000 close WD binaries with metallicities $Z=0.06, 0.05, 0.04, 0.03, 0.02, 0.01, 0.004, 0.001, 0.0003$ and 0.0001. For our calculations, the companions are assumed to be unevolved or slightly evolved stars (WD + MS). As a result, the initial parameter spaces for SNe Ia at various $Z$ are presented in orbital period-secondary mass ($\log P_{\rm i}, M_{\rm 2}^{\rm i}$) planes. Our study shows that both the initial mass of the secondary and the initial orbital period increase with metallicity. Thus, the minimum mass of the CO WD for SNe Ia decreases with metallicity $Z$. The difference of the minimum mass may be as large as 0.24 $M_{\odot}$ for different Z. Adopting the results above, we studied the birth rate of SNe Ia for various $Z$ via a binary population synthesis approach. If a single starburst is assumed, SNe Ia occur systemically earlier and the peak value of the birth rate is larger for a high $Z$. The Galactic birth rate from the WD + MS channel is lower than (but comparable to) that inferred from observations. Our study indicates that supernovae like SN2002ic would not occur in extremely low-metallicity environments, if the delayed dynamical-instability model in \citet{HAN06} is appropriate.

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arXiv2009

Helium star donor channel for the progenitors of type Ia supernovae

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) play an important role in astrophysics, especially in the study of cosmic evolution. There are several progenitor models for SNe Ia proposed in the past years. In this paper, we have carried out a detailed study of the He star donor channel, in which a carbon-oxygen white dwarf (CO WD) accretes material from a He main sequence star or a He subgiant to increase its mass to the Chandrasekhar mass. Employing Eggleton's stellar evolution code with an optically thick wind assumption, and adopting the prescription of Kato & Hachisu (2004) for the mass accumulation efficiency of the He-shell flashes onto the WDs, we performed binary evolution calculations for about 2600 close WD binary systems. According to these calculations, we mapped out the initial parameters for SNe Ia in the orbital period--secondary mass ($\log P^{\rm i}-M^{\rm i}_2$) plane for various WD masses from this channel. The study shows that the He star donor channel is noteworthy for producing SNe Ia (i.e. $\sim 1.2\times10^{-3} {\rm yr}^{-1}$ in the Galaxy), and that the progenitors from this channel may appear as supersoft X-ray sources. Importantly, this channel can explain SNe Ia with short delay times ($\la 10^{8}$ yr), which is consistent with recent observational implications of young populations of SN Ia progenitors.

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arXiv2008

Binary Evolutionary Models

In this talk, we present the general principles of binary evolution and give two examples. The first example is the formation of subdwarf B stars (sdBs) and their application to the long-standing problem of ultraviolet excess (also known as UV-upturn) in elliptical galaxies. The second is for the progenitors of type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). We discuss the main binary interactions, i.e., stable Roche lobe overflow (RLOF) and common envelope (CE) evolution, and show evolutionary channels leading to the formation of various binary-related objects. In the first example, we show that the binary model of sdB stars of Han et al. (2002, 2003) can reproduce field sdB stars and their counterparts, extreme horizontal branch (EHB) stars, in globular clusters. By applying the binary model to the study of evolutionary population synthesis, we have obtained an ``a priori'' model for the UV-upturn of elliptical galaxies and showed that the UV-upturn is most likely resulted from binary interactions. This has major implications for understanding the evolution of the UV excess and elliptical galaxies in general. In the second example, we introduce the single degenerate channel and the double degenerate channel for the progenitors of SNe Ia. We give the birth rates and delay time distributions for each channel and the distributions of companion stars at the moment of SN explosion for the single degenerate channel, which would help to search for the remnant companion stars observationally.

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arXiv2008

Initial-Final Mass Relationship for Stars of Different Metallicities

Following Paczyński & Ziólkowski (1968) and Han et al. (1994), we assume that the envelope of an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) or a first giant branch (FGB) star is lost when the binding energy of the envelope is equal to zero ($ΔW=0$) and the core mass of the AGB star or the FGB star at the point ($ΔW=0$) is taken as the final mass. Using this assumption, we calculate the IFMRs for stars of different metallicities.We find that the IFMRs depends strongly on the metallicity, i.e. $Z=0.0001, 0.0003, 0.001, 0.004, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.08$ and 0.1. From $Z=0.04$, the final mass of the stars with a given initial mass increases with increasing or decreasing metallicity. The difference of the final mass due to the metallicity may be up to 0.4 $M_{\odot}$. A linear fit of the initial-final mass relationship in NGC 2099 (M37) shows a potential evidence of the effect of metallicity on the IFMR. The IFMR for stars of $Z=0.02$ obtained in the paper matches well with those inferred observationally in the Galaxy. For $Z\geq 0.02$, helium WDs are obtained from the stars of $M_{\rm i}\leq 1.0 M_{\odot}$ and this result is upheld by the discovery of numerous low-mass WDs in NGC 6791 which is a metal-rich old open cluster. Using the IFMR for stars of $Z=0.02$ obtained in the paper, we have reproduced the mass distribution of DA WDs in Sloan DR4 except for some ultra-massive white dwarfs. The trend that the mean mass of WDs decreases with effective temperature may originate from the increase of the initial metallicities of stars. We predict that metal-rich low-mass stars may become under-massive white dwarfs.

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arXiv2008

A possible solution for the lack of EHB binaries in globular clusters

The binary fraction among extreme horizontal branch (EHB) stars in Galactic globular clusters (GCs) is an order of magnitude lower than the binary fraction among their counterparts, field hot subdwarfs. This casts serious doubt on their formation channels. In this {\em Letter}, I explain the difference between the field and the cluster EHB stars with the binary model of Han et al. (2002, 2003) for the formation of EHB stars. With the binary population synthesis code of Han et al. (2002, 2003), I follow the evolution of simple stellar populations resulting from single star bursts (note that Han et al. 2002, 2003, adopted a constant star formation rate over the last 15 Gyr for the production of field EHB stars), and obtain EHB stars at different stellar population ages. I found that the binary fraction among EHB stars decreases with the stellar population age. The fraction of EHB binaries with orbital periods $P<5 {\rm d}$ is $\sim 2.5%$ for a stellar population of 10 Gyr from the standard simulation set. The binary model of Han et al. (2002, 2003) is able to explain the lack of EHB binaries in globular clusters. I also propose that the precise determination of the physical parameters of close EHB binaries in GCs can lead to the strictest constraint on common-envelope ejection efficiency.

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arXiv2007

Simple Stellar Population Models as probed by the Large Magellanic Cloud Star Cluster ESO 121-SC03

The presence of blue straggler stars (BSs) in star clusters has proven a challenge to conventional simple stellar population (SSP) models. Conventional SSP models are based on the evolution theory of single stars. Meanwhile, the typical locations of BSs in the colour-magnitude diagram of a cluster are brighter and bluer than the main sequence turn-off point. Such loci cannot be predicted by single-star evolution theory. However, stars with such properties contribute significantly to the integrated light of the cluster. In this paper, we reconstruct the integrated properties of the Large Magellanic Cloud cluster ESO 121-SC03, based on a detailed exploration of the individual cluster stars, and with particular emphasis on the cluster's BSs. We find that the integrated light properties of ESO 121-SC03 are dramatically modified by its BS component. The integrated spectral energy distribution (ISED) flux level is significantly enhanced toward shorter wavelengths, and all broad-band colours become bluer. When fitting the fully integrated ISED of this cluster based on conventional SSP models, the best-fitting values of age and metallicity are significantly underestimated compared to the true cluster parameters. The age underestimate is $\sim40$ per cent if we only include the BSs within the cluster's half-light radius and $\sim60$ per cent if all BSs are included. The corresponding underestimates of the cluster's metallicity are $\sim30$ and $\sim60$ per cent, respectively. The populous star clusters in the Magellanic Clouds are ideal objects to explore the potential importance of BSs for the integrated light properties of more distant unresolved star clusters in a statistically robust manner, since they cover a large range in age and metallicity.

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arXiv2007

The Impact of Type Ia Supernova Explosions on their Companions in Binary System

Using a simple analytic method, we calculate the impact effect between the ejecta of a SN Ia and its companion to survey the influence of initial parameters of the progenitor's system, which is useful for searching the companion in a explosion remnant. The companion models are obtained from Eggleton's evolution code.The results are divided into two groups based on mass transfer stage. For a given condition, more hydrogen-rich material is stripped from the envelope of a Hertzsprung-gap companion than that of a main-sequence companion, while a larger kick velocity and a larger luminosity are gained for a main-sequence companion. The kick velocity is too low to significantly affect the final spatial velocity of the companion, which is mainly affected by the initial parameters of the progenitor systems. The spatial velocity of the stripped material has an upper limit within the range of 8000 - 9500 km/s, which only depends on the total kinetic energy of the explosion.The stripped mass, the ratio of the stripped mass to the companion mass and the kick velocity of the companion all significantly depend on the initial companion mass and orbital period. Our model may naturally explain the spatial velocity of the star G in the remnant of Tycho's supernova, while an energy-loss mechanism is needed to interpret its luminosity.

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arXiv2007

A binary model for the UV-upturn of elliptical galaxies (MNRAS version)

The discovery of a flux excess in the far-ultraviolet (UV) spectrum of elliptical galaxies was a major surprise in 1969. While it is now clear that this UV excess is caused by an old population of hot helium-burning stars without large hydrogen-rich envelopes, rather than young stars, their origin has remained a mystery. Here we show that these stars most likely lost their envelopes because of binary interactions, similar to the hot subdwarf population in our own Galaxy. We have developed an evolutionary population synthesis model for the far-UV excess of elliptical galaxies based on the binary model developed by Han et al (2002, 2003) for the formation of hot subdwarfs in our Galaxy. Despite its simplicity, it successfully reproduces most of the properties of elliptical galaxies with a UV excess: the range of observed UV excesses, both in $(1550-V)$ and $(2000-V)$, and their evolution with redshift. We also present colour-colour diagrams for use as diagnostic tools in the study of elliptical galaxies. The model has major implications for understanding the evolution of the UV excess and of elliptical galaxies in general. In particular, it implies that the UV excess is not a sign of age, as had been postulated previously, and predicts that it should not be strongly dependent on the metallicity of the population, but exists universally from dwarf ellipticals to giant ellipticals.

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