Sc and neutron-capture abundances in Galactic low- and high-alpha field halo stars

Abstract

We determine relative abundance ratios for the neutron-capture elements Zr, La, Ce, Nd and Eu for a sample of 27 Galactic dwarf stars with -1.5 < [Fe/H] < -0.8. We also measure the iron-peak element Sc. These stars separate into three populations (low-and high-a halo and thick-disc stars) based on the [alpha/Fe] abundance ratio and their kinematics as discovered by Nissen & Schuster. We find differences between the low-and high-alpha groups in the abundance ratios of [Sc/Fe], [Zr/Fe], [La/Zr], [Y/Eu] and [Ba/Eu] when including Y and Ba from Nissen & Schuster. For all ratios except [La/Zr], the low-alpha stars have a lower abundance compared to the high-alpha stars. The low-alpha stars display the same abundance patterns of high [Ba/Y] and low [Y/Eu] as observed in present-day dwarf spheroidal galaxies, although with smaller abundance differences, when compared to the high-alpha stars. These distinct chemical patterns have been attributed to differences in the star formation rate between the two populations and the contribution of low-metallicity, low-mass asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars to the low-alpha population. By comparing the low-alpha population with AGB stellar models, we place constraints on the mass range of the AGB stars. Show more