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Paper: Uncertainties in Brown Dwarf Models
Volume: 384, 14th Cambridge Workshop on Cool Stars, Stellar Systems, and the Sun
Page: 133
Authors: Barman, T.S.
Abstract: Brown dwarf discoveries now span a considerable range in temperature, mass, and age down to newly formed (or still forming) objects, planetary masses, and extremely cool atmospheres. These observational discoveries have revealed many successes and failures of our current state-of-the-art theoretical models. Models in the form of synthetic spectra, isochrones, and mass-luminosity diagrams provide conveniently packaged descriptions for “the theory” of brown dwarfs. However, buried inside are many assumptions, approximations, and a variety of arbitrary choices. Nevertheless, these models are very powerful tools for inferring the basic properties of brown dwarfs. This paper summarizes the current state of spectroscopic models and the challenges they face with an emphasis on the L/T spectral type transition, the effects of gravity and metallicity, and non-equilibrium chemistry.
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