Semi-empirical White Dwarf Initial-Final Mass Relationships: A Thorough Analysis of Systematic Uncertainties Due to Stellar Evolution Models

SALARIS, M.; A. M. SERENELLI; WEISS, A.; MILLER BERTOLAMI, M. M.

ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL

IOP PUBLISHING LTD

Lugar: Bristol; Año: 2009 vol. 692 p. 1013 - 1032

0004-637X

Using the most recent results about white dwarfs (WDs) in ten open clusters, we revisit semiempirical estimatesof the initial–final mass relation (IFMR) in star clusters, with emphasis on the use of stellar evolution models.We discuss the influence of these models on each step of the derivation. One intention of our work is to useconsistent sets of calculations both for the isochrones and the WD cooling tracks. The second one is to derivethe range of systematic errors arising from stellar evolution theory. This is achieved by using different sources forthe stellar models and by varying physical assumptions and input data.We find that systematic errors, including thedetermination of the cluster age, are dominating the initial mass values, while observational uncertainties influencethe final mass primarily. After having determined the systematic errors, the initial–final mass relation allows usfinally to draw conclusions about the physics of the stellar models, in particular about convective overshooting.