Helium abundances in HgMn and normal stars

Abstract

The parameter-free model of diffusion in the atmospheres of HgMn stars (Michaud 1986, Michaud et al. 1979) predicts that helium should sink below the $\hbox{He\,{\sc ii}}$ ionization zone that the diffusion of other elements may take place, and that all HgMn stars should have deficits of helium in their photospheres, with a minimum deficit of 0.3 dex. In this study, the Smith & Dworetsky (1993) sample of HgMn stars and normal comparison stars is examined, and the helium abundances determined by spectrum synthesis using échelle spectra taken at Lick Observatory and the AAT. The prediction is confirmed. All HgMn stars are deficient in He by as much as 1.5 dex. Also, two HgMn stars, HR 7361 and HR 7664, show clear evidence of helium stratification.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html