Theoretical White Dwarf Luminosity Functions: DA Models
Abstract
New DA white dwarf models with thick H and He surface layers are presented. Uncertainties in cool WD ages resulting from the lack of opacities in the weakly degenerate regime are estimated at ∼10%. Luminosity functions computed using these DA sequences suggest that the age of the local Galactic disk is in the range 6.5 to 11 Gyr. Phase separation of crystallizing C/O-core models has the potential to add up to ∼20% to the ages of the coolest WDs, but the suggested process by which the matter is redistributed in the core is not sufficiently compelling.
- Publication:
-
White Dwarfs
- Pub Date:
- 1995
- DOI:
- 10.1007/3-540-59157-5_171
- Bibcode:
- 1995LNP...443...41W