Are the silicate crystallinities of oxygen-rich evolved stars related to their mass loss rates?

TL;DR

This study investigates whether the crystalline silicate content in oxygen-rich evolved stars correlates with their mass loss rates, finding no significant relationship between the two.

Contribution

It provides the first analysis of the connection between silicate crystallinity and mass loss rates in a sample of oxygen-rich evolved stars.

Findings

Crystalline silicate fraction is not related to mass loss rate.

Crystallinity varies independently of mass loss.

Spectral analysis confirms no correlation.

Abstract

A sample of 28 oxygen-rich evolved stars is selected based on the presence of crystalline silicate emission features in their ISO/SWS spectra. The crystallinity, measured as the flux fraction of crystalline silicate features, is found not related to mass loss rate that is derived from fitting the spectral energy distribution.