Photometric evolution of star clusters models

Energy equipartition leads to mass segregation and the preferential loss of low-mass stars, while stellar remnants severely influence cluster mass-to-light ratios. Moreover, the stellar initial mass function and cluster metallicity affect photometry as well.

Due to the continuous production of stellar remnants, their impact on cluster photometry is strongest for old systems like globular clusters. This, in combination with their low metallicities, evidence for mass segregation, and a possibly deviating stellar initial mass function, makes globular clusters interesting test cases for cluster models. In this paper we describe cluster models that include the effects of the preferential loss of low-mass stars, stellar remnants, choice of initial mass function and metallicity.