We have extended our detailed survey of the local white dwarf population from 20 to 25 pc, effectively doubling the sample volume, which now includes 232 stars. In the process, newstars within 20 pc have been added, a more uniform set of distance estimates as well as improved spectral and binary classifications are available. The present 25 pc sample is estimated to be about 68 per cent complete (the corresponding 20 pc sample is now 86 per cent complete). The space density of white dwarfs is unchanged at 4.8 +/- 0.5 x 10(-3) pc(-3). This new study includes a white dwarf mass distribution and luminosity function based on the 232 stars in the 25 pc sample. We find a significant excess of single stars over systems containing one or more companions (74 per cent versus 26 per cent). This suggests mechanisms that result in the loss of companions during binary system evolution. In addition, this updated sample exhibits a pronounced deficiency of nearby 'Sirius-like' systems. 11 such systems were found within the 20 pc volume versus only one additional system found in the volume between 20 and 25 pc. An estimate of white dwarf birth rates during the last similar to 8 Gyr is derived from individual remnant cooling ages. A discussion of likely ways new members of the local sample may be found is provided.

We measure apparent velocities (v_app) of the H alpha and H beta Balmer line cores for 449 non-binary thin disk normal DA white dwarfs (WDs) using optical spectra taken for the European Southern Observatory SN Ia progenitor survey (SPY). Assuming these WDs are nearby and comoving, we correct our velocities to the local standard of rest so that the remaining stellar motions are random. By averaging over the sample, we are left with the mean gravitational redshift, <v_g>: we find <v_g> = <v_app> = 32.57+/-1.17 km/s. Using the mass-radius relation from evolutionary models, this translates to a mean mass of 0.647+0.013-0.014 Msun. We interpret this as the mean mass for all DAs. Our results are in agreement with previous gravitational redshift studies but are significantly higher than all previous spectroscopic determinations except the recent findings of Tremblay & Bergeron. Since the gravitational redshift method is independent of surface gravity from atmosphere models, we investigate the mean mass of DAs with spectroscopic Teff both above and below 12,000 K; fits to line profiles give a rapid increase in the mean mass with decreasing Teff. Our results are consistent with no significant change in mean mass: <M>^hot = 0.640+/-0.014 Msun and <M>^cool = 0.686+0.035-0.039 Msun. / text

To calculate realistic models of objects with Ni in their atmospheres, accurate atomic data for the relevant ionization stages need to be included in model atmosphere calculations. In the context of white dwarf stars, we investigate the effect of changing the Ni IV-VI bound-bound and bound-free atomic data on model atmosphere calculations. Models including photoionization cross-section (PICS) calculated with AUTOSTRUCTURE show significant flux attenuation of up to similar to 80 per cent shortward of 180 angstrom in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) region compared to a model using hydrogenic PICS. Comparatively, models including a larger set of Ni transitions left the EUV, UV, and optical continua unaffected. We use models calculated with permutations of these atomic data to test for potential changes to measured metal abundances of the hot DA white dwarf G191-B2B. Models including AUTOSTRUCTURE PICS were found to change the abundances of N and O by as much as similar to 22 per cent compared to models using hydrogenic PICS, but heavier species were relatively unaffected. Models including AUTOSTRUCTURE PICS caused the abundances of N/O IV and V to diverge. This is because the increased opacity in the AUTOSTRUCTURE PICS model causes these charge states to form higher in the atmosphere, more so for N/O V. Models using an extended line list caused significant changes to the Ni IV-V abundances. While both PICS and an extended line list cause changes in both synthetic spectra and measured abundances, the biggest changes are caused by using AUTOSTRUCTURE PICS for Ni.

The aim of this thesis is to revisit the properties of white dwarf stars in the Solar neighbourhood (distance > 100 pc), in particular their magnetic fields, the occurrence of binarity and their space density. This thesis presents observations and analysis of a sample of white dwarfs from the southern hemisphere. Over 80 objects were observed spectroscopically, and 65 of these were also observed with a spectropolarimeter. Many of the white dwarfs observed belong to the Solar neighbourhood, and can be used to study the star formation and evolution in this region. Our spectropolarimetric measurements helped constrain the fraction of magnetic white dwarfs in the Solar neighbourhood. Combining data from different surveys, I found a higher fraction of these objects in the relatively old local population than in other younger selections such as the Palomar-Green survey which suggests magnetic field evolution in white dwarfs, or different sets of progenitors. The progenitors of magnetic white dwarfs have been assumed to be Ap and Bp stars, however I find that the properties and number of Ap and Bp stars would only explain white dwarfs with magnetic fields larger than 100 MG. The number of known white dwarfs is believed to be complete to about 13 pc, however the sample is certainly incomplete to 20 pc from the Sun. To identify new white dwarfs in the Solar neighbourhood, some possibly magnetic or in binaries, numerous candidate white dwarfs from the Revised NLTT catalogue have been observed, which resulted in the discovery of 13 new white dwarfs, with 4 of these having a distance that places them within 20 pc of the Sun. The candidates were selected using a V − J reduced-proper-motion diagram and optical-infrared diagram. A total of 417 white dwarf candidates were selected, 200 of these have already been spectroscopically confirmed as white dwarfs. Spectroscopic confirmation is required for the remaining 217 candidates, many of these are likely to belong to the Solar neighbourhood. Four close binaries consisting of a white dwarf and a cool companion were also observed, for which atmospheric and orbital parameters were obtained. The photometry for two of these binary systems, BPM 71214 and EC 13471-1258 shows that the secondary stars are filling their Roche lobes, and combined with their orbital parameters, these systems are very good candidates for hibernating novae. The time of their previous interaction or the extent of this interaction are unknown. The two other binary systems, BPM 6502 and EUVE J0720-31.7 are post-common envelope binaries. BPM 6502 is not expected to interact within a Hubble time, however EUVE J0720-31 is expected to become a cataclysmic variable within a Hubble time. The atmospheric parameters of the white dwarfs were determined using model atmosphere codes which were modified for the present study to include convective energy transfer, self-broadening and Lyman satellite features.

No description available.

We present a detailed analysis of the white dwarf luminosity functions derived from the local 40 pc sample and the deep proper motion catalog of Munn et al. Many previous studies have ignored the contribution of thick disk white dwarfs to the Galactic disk luminosity function, which results in an erroneous age measurement. We demonstrate that the ratio of thick/thin disk white dwarfs is roughly 20% in the local sample. Simultaneously fitting for both disk components, we derive ages of 6.8-7.0 Gyr for the thin disk and 8.7 +/- 0.1 Gyr for the thick disk from the local 40 pc sample. Similarly, we derive ages of 7.4-8.2 Gyr for the thin disk and 9.5-9.9 Gyr for the thick disk from the deep proper motion catalog, which shows no evidence of a deviation from a constant star formation rate in the past 2.5 Gyr. We constrain the time difference between the onset of star formation in the thin disk and the thick disk to be 1.6(-0.4)(+0.3) Gyr. The faint end of the luminosity function for the halo white dwarfs is less constrained, resulting in an age estimate of 12.5(-3.4)(+1.4) Gyr for the Galactic inner halo. This is the first time that ages for all three major components of the Galaxy have been obtained from a sample of field white dwarfs that is large enough to contain significant numbers of disk and halo objects. The resultant ages agree reasonably well with the age estimates for the oldest open and globular clusters.

EGB 6 is a faint, large, ancient planetary nebula (PN). Its central star, a hot DAOZ white dwarf (WD), is a prototype of a rare class of PN nuclei associated with dense, compact emission-line knots. The central star also shows excess fluxes in both the near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR). In a 2013 paper, we used Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images to show that the compact nebula is a point-like source, located 0 16(similar to 118 AU) from the WD. We attributed the NIR excess to an M dwarf companion star, which appeared to coincide with the dense emission knot. We now present new ground-based NIR spectroscopy, showing that the companion is actually a much cooler source with a continuous spectrum, apparently a dust-enshrouded low-luminosity star. New HST images confirm common proper motion of the emission knot and red source with the WD. The I-band, NIR, and MIR fluxes are variable, possibly on timescales as short as days. We can fit the spectral energy distribution (SED) with four blackbodies (the WD, a similar to 1850 K NIR component, and MIR dust at 385 and 175 K). Alternatively, we show that the NIR/MIR SED is very similar to that of Class 0/I young stellar objects. We suggest a scenario in which the EGB 6 nucleus is descended from a wide binary similar to the Mira system, in which a portion of the wind from an AGB star was captured into an accretion disk around a companion star; a remnant of this disk has survived to the present time and is surrounded by gas photoionized by UV radiation from the WD.

A catalog of 8472 white dwarf (WD) candidates is presented, selected using reduced proper motions from the deep proper motion catalog of Munn et al. Candidates are selected in the magnitude range 16 < r < 21.5 over 980 square degrees, and 16 < r < 21.3 over an additional 1276 square degrees, within the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) imaging footprint. Distances, bolometric luminosities, and atmospheric compositions are derived by fitting SDSS ugriz photometry to pure hydrogen and helium model atmospheres (assuming surface gravities log g = 8). The disk white dwarf luminosity function (WDLF) is constructed using a sample of 2839 stars with 5.5 < M-bol < 17, with statistically significant numbers of stars cooler than the turnover in the luminosity function. The WDLF for the halo is also constructed, using a sample of 135 halo WDs with 5 < M-bol < 16. We find space densities of disk and halo WDs in the solar neighborhood of 5.5 +/- 0.1 x 10(-3) pc(-3) and 3.5 +/- 0.7 x 10(-5) pc(-3), respectively. We resolve the bump in the disk WDLF due to the onset of fully convective envelopes in WDs, and see indications of it in the halo WDLF as well.

White dwarfs are the final remnants of low- and intermediate-mass stars. About 95% of main- sequence stars will end their evolutionary pathways as white dwarfs and, hence, the study of the white dwarf population provides details about the late stages of the life of the vast majority of stars.Since white dwarfs are long-lived objects, they also constitute useful objects to study the structure and evolution of our Galaxy. For instance, the initial-final mass relationship, which connects the final mass of a white dwarf with the initial mass of its main-sequence progenitor, is of paramount importance for different aspects in modern astrophysics. This function is used for determining the ages of globular clusters and their distances, for studying the chemical evolution of galaxies, and also to understand the properties of the Galactic population of white dwarfs. Despite its relevance, this relationship is still relatively poorly constrained.The main aim of this thesis is the study of the initial-final mass relationship. For such purpose we have used two different approaches. From an observational perspective, the statistical significance of the current initial final mass relationship can be improved by performing spectroscopic observations of white dwarfs for which some important parameters are available. Since this approach involves the use of theoretical stellar evolutionary tracks the resulting initial-final mass relationship is, in fact, semi-empirical. In this thesis we present a promising method which consists in using common proper motion pairs comprised of a white dwarf and a FGK star. It is sound to assume that the members of the system were born simultaneously and with the same chemical composition. Moreover, these stars are well separated and it can be considered that they have evolved as isolated stars, since mass exchange between them is unlikely. Thus, a careful analysis of the observational data of both members of each pair allows us to derive the initial and final masses of the white dwarf components, something which is totally impossible when white dwarfs are isolated. Considering the new data that we have obtained with this work and the observational data currently used to define the initial-final mass relationship we have carried out a revision of this relationship, giving some clues on its dependence on different parameters, especially on metallicity.The second approach to improve the initial-final mass relationship involves an indirect measurement, which has been carried out by studying its influence on one of the powerful tools related to the white dwarf population, the white dwarf luminosity function. We have computed a series of luminosity functions using different theoretical initial-final mass relationships, and also, considering the semi-empirical relation derived in this thesis. We have compared these computations with the available observational data in order to evaluate the validity of each of these relations.In order to increase the statistical significance of the white dwarf luminosity function and to improve the initial-final mass relationship it is necessary to extend the amount of accurate and reliable observational data. For this reason part of the thesis is devoted to the Alhambra Survey, which is a good example of the new deep surveys currently under development. These observational projects will detect thousands of new white dwarfs, some of them belonging to common proper motion pairs, which could be eventually used to extend our analysis. Thus, we have performed an exhaustive study to optimize the identification procedure of the white dwarf candidates which will be eventually detected by the Alhambra survey.

Our group has developed a Bayesian modeling technique to determine the ages of stellar populations (in particular, open and globular clusters) using white dwarf (WD) cooling physics. As the theory of WD cooling is both simpler than, and essentially independent of, main sequence evolutionary theory, white dwarfs provide an independent measure of the ages of Galactic populations. We have developed a Bayesian technique that objectively incorporates our prior knowledge of stellar evolution, star cluster properties, and data quality estimates to derive posterior probability distributions for a cluster's age, metallicity, distance, and line-of-sight absorption, as well as the individual stellar parameters of mass, mass ratio (for unresolved binaries) and cluster membership probability. The key advantage of our Bayesian method is that we can calculate probability distributions for cluster and stellar parameters with reference only to known, quantifiable, objective, and repeatable quantities. In doing so, we also have more sensitivity to subtle changes in cluster isochrones than traditional ``chi-by-eye'' cluster fitting methods. As a critical test of our Bayesian modeling technique, we apply it to Hyades UBV photometry, with membership priors based on proper motions and radial velocities, where available. We use secular parallaxes derived from Hipparcos proper motions via the moving cluster method to put all members of the Hyades at a common distance. Under the assumption of a particular set of WD cooling and atmosphere models, we estimate the age of the Hyades based on cooling white dwarfs to be 610 +- 110 Myr, consistent with the best prior analysis of the cluster main-sequence turn-off age (Perryman, et al. 1998). Since the faintest white dwarfs have most likely evaporated from the Hyades, prior work provided only a lower limit to the cluster's white dwarf age. Our result demonstrates the power of the bright white dwarf technique for deriving ages (Jeffery, et al. 2007) and further demonstrates complete age consistency between white dwarf cooling and main-sequence turn-off ages for seven out of seven clusters analyzed to date, ranging from 150 Myr to 4 Gyr. We then turn our attention to the white dwarf luminosity function. We use Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) data to create a white dwarf luminosity function with nearly an order of magnitude (3,358) more spectroscopically confirmed white dwarfs than any previous work. We determine the completeness of the SDSS spectroscopic white dwarf sample by comparing a proper-motion selected sample of WDs from SDSS imaging data with a large catalog of spectroscopically determined WDs. We derive a selection probability as a function of a single color (g-i) and apparent magnitude (g) that covers the range -1.0 < g-i < 0.2 and 15 < g < 19.5. We address the observed upturn in log g for white dwarfs with Teff < ~12,000K and offer arguments that the problem is limited to the line profiles and is not present in the continuum. We offer an empirical method of removing the upturn, recovering a reasonable mass function for white dwarfs with Teff < 12,000K. Finally, we outline several other current and future applications of our method and our code to determine not only ages of Galactic stellar populations, but helium abundances of clusters, ages of individual field WDs, and the initial (main sequence) to final (WD) mass relation. / text