Fifty Years of CAK

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new framework for massive star evolution that incorporates physics-based mass loss mechanisms, moving beyond empirical recipes, and explores implications for stellar evolution, black hole formation, and related phenomena.

Contribution

It presents a physics-driven model for stellar mass loss that replaces empirical recipes, addressing key transitions and features in massive star evolution.

Findings

Identification of the hot-star mass-loss kink and transition mass loss rate.

Discussion of vertical stellar evolution and maximum black hole mass.

Potential link between RSG kink and L/M physics.

Abstract

We present a new framework for massive star evolution that is no longer driven by Dutch or other mass-loss rate Recipes, but which take the physics of Gamma or L/M dependent mass loss consistently into account. We first discuss the hot-star mass-loss kink and the transition mass loss rate between optically thin and thick winds, before discussing vertical stellar evolution, mass evaporation, and the maximum black hole (BH) mass. We end with a suggestion that a recently uncovered red supergiant (RSG) kink might be related to similar underlying L/M physics as the hot-star kink.