The Dynamical Evolution of Globular Clusters with Stellar Mass Loss

Abstract

The dynamical evolution of globular clusters is studied using the orbit-averaged multicomponent Fokker-Planck equation. The original code developed by Cohn(1980) is modified to include the effect of stellar evolutions. Plummer's model is chosen as the initial density distribution with the initial mass function index ¥á=0.25, 0.65, 1.35, 2.35 and 3.35. The mass loss rate adopted in this work follows that of Fusi-Pecci and Renzini(1976). The stellar mass loss acts as the energy source, and thus affects the dynamical evolution of globular clusters by slowing down the evolution rate and extending the core collapse time TCC. And the dynamical length scale Rc, Rh is also extended. This represents the expansion of cluster due to the stellar mass loss.