Super-AGB stars: evolution and associated nucleosynthesis

TL;DR

This paper investigates the evolution and nucleosynthesis of Super-AGB stars through computational models, focusing on how initial composition and core overshooting influence their post-He-burning phases and related transition masses.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the effects of initial composition and core overshooting on Super-AGB star evolution and nucleosynthesis, especially during the C-burning phase.

Findings

Impact of initial composition on core evolution

Role of core overshooting in nucleosynthesis

Relationships between transition masses and core properties

Abstract

Based on evolutionary computations of 90 stellar models, we have analysed the impact of initial composition and core overshooting on the post-He-burning evolution and the associated nucleosynthesis of Super-AGB stars, pointing particular attention on the C-burning phase. Moreover the possible link between the transition masses $M_{up}$, $M_{N}$ and $M_{mas}$ (defined as the critical initial mass above which C-burning ignites, the minimum initial mass for an electron-capture supernova and the minimum initial mass for the completion of all the nuclear burning phases respectively) and the properties of the core during the core He-burning phase is also briefly discussed.