Proton Capture Chains in Glubular Cluster Stars. I. Evidence for Deep Mixing Based on Sodium and Magnesium Abundances in M13 Giants

Abstract

Sodium abundances have been derived for 130 giant stars in the globular cluster M13 from spectra of the Na I doublet at λλ5682 and 5685 Å obtained using the KPNO 4-m Hydra fiber positioner and bench spectrograph. Magnesium abundances have also been obtained for the brightest 98 stars in the sample from the nearby Mg I line at λ5711 Å. The stars observed in M13 range from the faintest at Mv≃+1.0 and log g≃2.6 up to the tip of the giant branch, and include 18 stars on the asymptotic giant branch. Among the lower luminosity giants, the sodium abundances have a large star-to-star range, approximately from -0.3≤[Na/Fe]≤+0.5. However, the sodium abundances of the most luminous giants (Mv<-1.7) are usually high; typically, [Na/Fe]≥+0.3, with a much smaller star-to-star scatter. The asymptotic giant branch stars have smaller sodium abundances on average than do the red giant branch tip stars. The spread in [Na/Fe] ratios is larger in M13 than it is among halo field giants of comparable metallicity; M13 contains many more stars with high [Na/Fe] ratios than can be found in the field, even at relatively low luminosities on the giant branch. Magnesium is uniformly overabundant ([Mg/Fe]≃+0.3) in all stars with a low sodium abundance, but the [Mg/Fe] ratio ranges from approximately -0.3 to +0.3 in stars with a high sodium abundance. These sodium and magnesium abundance variations in M13 are discussed in the context of proton capture and deep mixing hypotheses. In addition to the CN and ON hydrogen burning chains previously discussed in the literature, the NeNa and MgAl burning chains have also contributed to the abundance mixture observed in M13 giants. At least some of the products of proton capture chains have been produced in situ in the giants, and brought to the surface, most probably via deep mixing. Evidence in support of the occurrence of proton capture nucleosynthesis and deep mixing among M13 stars includes (1) the absence of sodium-poor stars at the red giant tip, (2) the fact that asymptotic branch stars have lower sodium abundances on average than do stars near the red giant tip, and (3) the existence of a positive correlation between sodium and nitrogen abundances as well as a partial anti-correlation of sodium and magnesium abundances.