Non-linear pulsations in Wolf-Rayet stars

TL;DR

This paper presents numerical simulations of non-linear pulsations in Wolf-Rayet stars, revealing significant radial velocities and potential links to mass loss, with temperature jumps related to opacity changes.

Contribution

It demonstrates the non-linear evolution of strange-mode instabilities in Wolf-Rayet stars through detailed simulations, highlighting their impact on stellar velocities and temperature behavior.

Findings

Radial velocities up to 30% of escape velocity.

Connection between acoustic luminosity and mass loss.

Temperature jumps linked to opacity variations.

Abstract

Numerical simulations of the evolution of strange-mode instabilities into the non-linear regime have been performed for a wide range of stellar parameters for Wolf-Rayet stars. It has been shown that the Wolf-Rayet models reach radial velocities which amount to up to 30% of their escape velocity. The acoustic luminosities suggest a connection to the observed mass loss. Most of the models show a jump in the mean effective temperature after reaching the non-linear regime. This jump is related to the run of the opacity.