Dice Question Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Cause of the large dispersion in cadmium abundances among metal-poor stars

Identify the mechanism responsible for the large dispersion in cadmium abundances measured in metal-poor stars observed via the Cd I λ2288.02 line, and determine whether stellar-parameter–dependent non-LTE effects contribute to the variation.

Information Square Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Background

The paper reports a record-high Cd abundance for J0051-1053 and notes significant dispersion in Cd across metal-poor stars, unlike some other elements between the first and second r-process peaks.

The authors find correlations of Cd-based abundances with stellar parameters (effective temperature and surface gravity), suggesting possible NLTE effects in Cd I, yet the underlying cause of the dispersion remains unknown.

References

We report here that this star adds to the evidence of a large dispersion in the Cd abundance, for which the cause continues to be unknown.

— The $R$-Process Alliance: Detailed Composition of an $R$-Process Enhanced Star with UV and Optical Spectroscopy (2401.12311 - Shah et al., 22 Jan 2024) in Section 9 (Discussion), Subsection “R-Process Pattern from the First to the Second R-Process Peak”