Dust models & IR spectroscopy obs. of AGB stars

In particular, features at ~11, 20, 28, and 32{mu}m have been noted in mid-infrared spectra of oxygen-rich AGB stars. Here, I present models of dust excess emission in 36 spectra of 24 AGB stars from the Short Wavelength Spectrometer on board the Infrared Space Observatory and the Infrared Spectrograph on the Spitzer Space Telescope.

The models include opacities of grains composed of mixtures of various polymorphs of alumina obtained by preparing bayerite and boehmite at high temperatures, and these dust components provide satisfactory fits to the 11, 20, 28, and 32{mu}m features. Though not a direct conclusion from this study, the presence of grains of the various polymorphs of aluminas in circumstellar dust shells around AGB stars suggests that corundum may have a role in giving rise to the 13{mu}m feature.