Talk Title: Modelling AGB populations: the impact of variable (non solar-scaled) molecular opacities
Abstract: Evolutionary models of AGB stars have usually been computed using low-temperature molecular opacity tables for constant (solar-scaled) chemical composition, despite the continuous changes in the stellar surface chemical composition resulting from the dredge-up events. In this work I will discuss the remarkable changes in the behaviour of AGB evolutionary tracks when the variation of low-temperature opacities is considered, namely: the sudden decrease of the effective temperature (and increase of near-infrared colours) as the surface C/O ratio increases above 1, i.e. the star enters the C-star phase, the earlier onset of the superwind, the shortening of the TP-AGB lifetimes, and the possible quenching of the third dredge-up and hot-bottom burning. I will present new AGB models that include these effects, discussing their impact on the integrated light and on the chemical yields of single-burst stellar populations.
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