MESA Models with Magnetic Braking

Two magnetic braking models are implemented in MESA for use in the MIST stellar model grids. Stars less than about 1.3 solar masses are observed to spin down over time through interaction with their magnetized stellar winds (i.e., magnetic braking). This is the basis for gyrochronology and is fundamental to the evolution of lower-mass stars. The detailed physics behind magnetic braking are uncertain, as are 1D stellar evolution models. Thus, we calibrate our models and compare to data from open clusters. Each braking model tested here is capable of reproducing aspects of the data, with important distinctions; neither fully accounts for the observations. The Matt et al. prescription matches the slowly rotating stars observed in open clusters but tends to overestimate the presence of rapidly rotating stars. The Garraffo et al. prescription often produces too much angular momentum loss to accurately match the observed slow sequence for lower-mass stars but reproduces the bimodal nature of slowly and rapidly rotating stars observed in open clusters fairly well. Our models additionally do not reproduce the observed solar lithium depletion, corroborating previous findings that effects other than rotation may be important. We find additional evidence that some level of mass dependency may be missing in these braking models to match the rotation periods observed in clusters older than 1 Gyr better.

Automated summary

Two magnetic braking models are implemented in MESA for use in the MIST stellar model grids, but the detailed physics behind magnetic braking are uncertain. While each model tested can reproduce aspects of the data, neither fully accounts for the observations, suggesting the need for further improvement. The study also indicates a missing mass dependency in these braking models to better match the rotation periods observed in clusters older than 1 Gyr.