Momentum Transport In Stellar Interiors Research Articles

Markov chain Monte Carlo inversions of the internal rotation of Kepler subgiants

The measurement of the internal rotation of post-main-sequence stars using data from space-based photometry missions has demonstrated the need for an efficient angular momentum transport in stellar interiors. No clear solution has emerged so far, and it remains a challenge for stellar modellers to explain the observed trends. We constrained the shape of the internal rotation profile of six Kepler subgiants that were studied in details in 2014 and also the properties of the missing angular momentum transport process that acts in stellar interiors from Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) inversions of the internal rotation. We applied a new MCMC inversion technique to existing Kepler subgiant targets and tested various shapes of the internal rotation profile of the six subgiants that were observed in 2014. We also constrained the limitations on the number of free parameters that can be used in the MCMC inversion, showing the limitations in the amount of information in the seismic data. First, we show that large-scale fossil magnetic fields are not able to explain the internal rotation of subgiants, similarly to what was determined from detailed studies of Kepler red giants. We are also able to constrain the location of the transition in the internal rotation profile for the most evolved stars in the available set of subgiants. We find that some of them exhibit a transition that is located close to the border of the helium core, but one object exhibit a transition located much higher in radius. We conclude that various processes might be at play that would explain our observations, but a consistent detailed modelling of all available subgiants is required to reveal the physical nature of the angular momentum process, in particular, for the least evolved objects. In addition, it is paramount to increase the number of stars for which these inferences are possible (e.g. with the future PLATO mission) because they play a key role in validating candidates for the transport process.

Probing the progenitors of spinning binary black-hole mergers with long gamma-ray bursts

Long-duration gamma-ray bursts are thought to be associated with the core-collapse of massive, rapidly spinning stars and the formation of black holes. However, efficient angular momentum transport in stellar interiors, currently supported by asteroseismic and gravitational-wave constraints, leads to predominantly slowly-spinning stellar cores. Here, we report on binary stellar evolution and population synthesis calculations, showing that tidal interactions in close binaries not only can explain the observed subpopulation of spinning, merging binary black holes but also lead to long gamma-ray bursts at the time of black-hole formation. Given our model calibration against the distribution of isotropic-equivalent energies of luminous long gamma-ray bursts, we find that ≈10% of the GWTC-2 reported binary black holes had a luminous long gamma-ray burst associated with their formation, with GW190517 and GW190719 having a probability of ≈85% and ≈60%, respectively, being among them. Moreover, given an assumption about their average beaming fraction, our model predicts the rate density of long gamma-ray bursts, as a function of redshift, originating from this channel. For a constant beaming fraction fB ∼ 0.05 our model predicts a rate density comparable to the observed one, throughout the redshift range, while, at redshift z ∈ [0, 2.5], a tentative comparison with the metallicity distribution of observed LGRB host galaxies implies that between 20% to 85% of the observed long gamma-ray bursts may originate from progenitors of merging binary black holes. The proposed link between a potentially significant fraction of observed, luminous long gamma-ray bursts and the progenitors of spinning binary black-hole mergers allows us to probe the latter well outside the horizon of current-generation gravitational wave observatories, and out to cosmological distances.

Magnetic fields and transport processes

In this presentation, we briefly discuss how magnetic angular momentum transport in stellar radiative zones can be constrained by asteroseismic measurements. We focus on the internal rotational properties deduced from rotational splittings of solar-like oscillations and how they can be used to characterize angular momentum transport in stellar interiors.

Rotation rate of the solar core as a key constraint to magnetic angular momentum transport in stellar interiors

Context. The internal rotation of the Sun constitutes a fundamental constraint when modelling angular momentum transport in stellar interiors. In addition to the more external regions of the solar radiative zone probed by pressure modes, measurements of rotational splittings of gravity modes would offer an invaluable constraint on the rotation of the solar core. Aims. We study the constraints that a measurement of the core rotation rate of the Sun could bring on magnetic angular momentum transport in stellar radiative zones. Methods. Solar models accounting for angular momentum transport by hydrodynamic and magnetic instabilities were computed for different initial velocities and disc lifetimes on the pre-main sequence to reproduce the surface rotation velocities observed for solar-type stars in open clusters. The internal rotation of these solar models was then compared to helioseismic measurements. Results. We first show that models computed with angular momentum transport by magnetic instabilities and a recent prescription for the braking of the stellar surface by magnetized winds can reproduce the observations of surface velocities of stars in open clusters. These solar models predict both a flat rotation profile in the external part of the solar radiative zone probed by pressure modes and an increase in the rotation rate in the solar core, where the stabilizing effect of chemical gradients plays a key role. A rapid rotation of the core of the Sun, as suggested by reported detections of gravity modes, is thus found to be compatible with angular momentum transport by magnetic instabilities. Moreover, we show that the efficiency of magnetic angular momentum transport in regions of strong chemical gradients can be calibrated by the solar core rotation rate independently from the unknown rotational history of the Sun. In particular, we find that a recent revised prescription for the transport of angular momentum by the Tayler instability can be easily distinguished from the original Tayler–Spruit dynamo, with a faster rotating solar core supporting the original prescription. Conclusions. By calibrating the efficiency of magnetic angular momentum transport in regions of strong chemical gradients, a determination of the solar core rotation rate through gravity modes is of prime relevance not only for the Sun, but for stars in general, since radial differential rotation precisely develops in these regions during the more advanced stages of evolution.

Corotation resonances for gravity waves and their impact on angular momentum transport in stellar interiors

AbstractGravity waves, which propagate in radiation zones, can extract or deposit angular momentum by radiative and viscous damping. Another process, poorly explored in stellar physics, concerns their direct interaction with the differential rotation and the related turbulence. In this work, we thus study their corotation resonances, also called critical layers, that occur where the Doppler-shifted frequency of the wave approaches zero. First, we study the adiabatic and non-adiabatic propagation of gravity waves near critical layers. Next, we derive the induced transport of angular momentum. Finally, we use the dynamical stellar evolution code STAREVOL to apply the results to the case of a solar-like star. The results depend on the value of the Richardson number at the critical layer. In the first stable case, the wave is damped. In the other unstable and turbulent case, the wave can be reflected and transmitted by the critical layer with a coefficient larger than one: the critical layer acts as a secondary source of excitation for gravity waves. These new results can have a strong impact on our understanding of angular momentum transport processes in stellar interiors along stellar evolution where strong gradients of angular velocity can develop.

Understanding angular momentum transport in red giants: the case of KIC 7341231

Context. Thanks to recent asteroseismic observations, it has been possible to infer the radial differential rotation profile of subgiants and red giants. Aims. We want to reproduce through modeling the observed rotation profile of the early red giant KIC 7341231 and constrain the physical mechanisms responsible for angular momentum transport in stellar interiors. Methods. We compute models of KIC 7341231 including a treatment of shellular rotation and we compare the rotation profiles obtained with the one derived by Deheuvels et al. (2012). We then modify some modeling parameters in order to quantify their effect on the obtained rotation profile. Moreover, we mimic a powerful angular momentum transport during the Main Sequence and study its effect on the evolution of the rotation profile during the subgiant and red giant phases. Results. We show that meridional circulation and shear mixing alone produce a rotation profile for KIC 7341231 too steep compared to the observed one. An additional mechanism is then needed to increase the internal transport of angular momentum. We find that this undetermined mechanism has to be efficient not only during the Main Sequence but also during the much quicker subgiant phase. Moreover, we point out the importance of studying the whole rotational history of a star in order to explain its rotation profile during the red giant evolution.

Coupling between internal waves and shear-induced turbulence in stellar radiation zones: the critical layers

Internal gravity waves (hereafter IGWs) are known as one of the candidates for explaining the angular velocity profile in the Sun and in solar-type main-sequence and evolved stars, due to their role in the transport of angular momentum. Our bringing concerns critical layers, a process poorly explored in stellar physics, defined as the location where the local relative frequency of a given wave to the rotational frequency of the fluid tends to zero (i.e that corresponds to co-rotation resonances). IGW propagate through stably-stratified radiative regions, where they extract or deposit angular momentum through two processes: radiative and viscous dampings and critical layers. Our goal is to obtain a complete picture of the effects of this latters. First, we expose a mathematical resolution of the equation of propagation for IGWs in adiabatic and non-adiabatic cases near critical layers. Then, the use of a dynamical stellar evolution code, which treats the secular transport of angular momentum, allows us to apply these results to the case of a solar-like star.The analysis reveals two cases depending on the value of the Richardson number at critical layers: a stable one, where IGWs are attenuated as they pass through a critical level, and an unstable turbulent case where they can be reflected/transmitted by the critical level with a coefficient larger than one. Such over-reflection/transmission can have strong implications on our vision of angular momentum transport in stellar interiors. This paper highlights the existence of two regimes defining the interaction between an IGW and a critical layer. An application exposes the effect of the first regime, showing a strengthening of the damping of the wave. Moreover, this work opens new ways concerning the coupling between IGWs and shear instabilities in stellar interiors.

Attempts to reproduce the rotation profile of the red giant KIC 7341231 observed by Kepler

AbstractThanks to the asteroseimic study of the red giant star KIC 7341231 observed by Kepler, it has been possible to infer its radial differential rotation profile (Deheuvels et al. 2012). This opens new ways to constrain the physical mechanisms responsible of the angular momentum transport in stellar interiors by directly comparing this radial rotation profile with the ones computed using stellar evolution codes including dynamical processes. In this preliminary work, we computed different models of KIC 7341231 with the Geneva stellar evolution code that includes transport mechanisms due to a shellular rotation and the associated large‐scale meridional circulation and shear‐induced turbulence. Once the global parameters of the star had been established, we modified some of the model’s input parameters in order to understand their effects on the predicted rotation profile of the modeled star. As a result, we find a discrepancy between the rotation profile deduced from asteroseismic measurements and the profiles predicted from models including shellular rotation and related meridional flows and turbulence. This indicates that a most powerful mechanism is in action to extract angular momentum from the core of this star (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Angular momentum transport in stellar interiors constrained by rotational splittings of mixed modes in red giants

Context. Recent asteroseismic observations have led to the determination of rotational frequency splittings for ℓ = 1 mixed modes in red giants.

Angular Momentum Transport and Mixing by Magnetic Fields

Magnetic fields can be created in stably stratified (non-convective) layers in a differentially rotating star. A magnetic instability in the toroidal field (wound up by differential rotation) replaces the role of convection in closing the field amplification loop. A dynamo model is developed from these ingredients, and applied to the problem of angular momentum transport in stellar interiors. It produces a predominantly horizontal field. The process is found to be more effective in transporting angular momentum than the known hydrodynamic mechanisms, with the possible exception of transport by internal gravity waves.

Dynamo action by differential rotation in a stably stratified stellar interior

Magnetic fields can be created in stably stratified (non-convective) layers in a differentially rotating star. A magnetic instability in the toroidal field (wound up by differential rotation) replaces the role of convection in closing the field amplification loop. Tayler instability is likely to be the most relevant magnetic instability. A dynamo model is developed from these ingredients, and applied to the problem of angular momentum transport in stellar interiors. It produces a prodominantly horizontal field. This dynamo process might account for the observed pattern of rotation in the solar core.