Stellar wind models of subluminous hot stars

TL;DR

This study models stellar winds of subluminous hot stars using NLTE wind models to predict mass-loss rates, velocities, and interactions, revealing their significance in stellar evolution and binary systems.

Contribution

It introduces detailed NLTE wind models for subdwarfs, predicting wind parameters and interactions, advancing understanding of their mass loss and binary dynamics.

Findings

Predicted wind mass-loss rates as functions of stellar parameters.

Confirmed wind parameters agree with observational data.

X-ray irradiation can inhibit wind flow in binaries.

Abstract

Mass-loss rate is one of the most important stellar parameters. We aim to provide mass-loss rates as a function of subdwarf parameters and to apply the formula for individual subdwarfs, to predict the wind terminal velocities, to estimate the influence of the magnetic field and X-ray ionization on the stellar wind, and to study the interaction of subdwarf wind with mass loss from Be and cool companions. We used our kinetic equilibrium (NLTE) wind models with the radiative force determined from the radiative transfer equation in the comoving frame (CMF) to predict the wind structure of subluminous hot stars. Our models solve stationary hydrodynamical equations, that is the equation of continuity, equation of motion, and energy equation and predict basic wind parameters. We predicted the wind mass-loss rate as a function of stellar parameters, namely the stellar luminosity, effective temperature, and metallicity. The derived wind parameters (mass-loss rates and terminal velocities) agree with the values derived from the observations. The radiative force is not able to accelerate the homogeneous wind for stars with low effective temperatures and high surface gravities. We discussed the properties of winds of individual subdwarfs. The X-ray irradiation may inhibit the flow in binaries with compact components. In binaries with Be components, the winds interact with the disk of the Be star. Stellar winds exist in subluminous stars with low gravities or high effective temperatures. Despite their low mass-loss rates, they are detectable in the ultraviolet spectrum and cause X-ray emission. Subdwarf stars may lose a significant part of their mass during the evolution. The angular momentum loss in magnetic subdwarfs with wind may explain their low rotational velocities. Stellar winds are especially important in binaries, where they may be accreted on a compact or cool companion. (abridged)