EAS Publications Series

Table of Contents - 2005 - Volume 17, Element Stratification in Stars: 40 Years of Atomic Diffusion  

Research Article

Processes competing with atomic diffusion: mass loss, turbulence, rotation, etc.

Element Stratification in Stars: 40 Years of Atomic Diffusion, "Chateau de Mons", Gers, France.

J.-P. Zahn

LUTH, Observatoire de Paris, 5 place Janssen, 92195 Meudon, France

Abstract

Due to radiative acceleration and gravitational settling, stars would display vast differences in their surface composition, if these were not smoothed out, at least partly, by some competing processes. Possible mechanisms have been suggested and examined by Georges Michaud and his collaborators: mass loss, turbulent mixing and meridional circulation. They will be discussed here in the light of more recent developments.

(Online publication January 13 2006)