.. _physics-stellarWinds:

Stellar Winds
=============

Class providing models of stellar winds, specifically the mass-loss rate (in :math:`\mathrm{M}_\odot` Gyr\ :math:`^{-1}`) and terminal wind velocity (in km s\ :math:`^{-1}`) as functions of initial stellar mass, age, and metallicity. Stellar winds from massive OB stars and Wolf-Rayet stars are a significant source of mass and momentum input to the :term:`ISM` and contribute to the mechanical luminosity available for stellar feedback. The wind properties enter the stellar feedback class to determine the energy and momentum coupling to the surrounding gas.

**Default implementation:** ``stellarWindsLeitherer1992``

Methods
-------

``rateMassLoss`` → ``double precision``
   Return the mass loss rate (in :math:`\mathrm{M}_\odot`/Gyr) from stars of given ``initialMass``, ``age`` and ``metallicity``.

   * ``double precision, intent(in ) :: initialMass, age, metallicity``

``velocityTerminal`` → ``double precision``
   Return the terminal velocity (in km/s) of winds from stars of given ``initialMass``, ``age`` and ``metallicity``.

   * ``double precision, intent(in ) :: initialMass, age, metallicity``

.. _physics-stellarWindsLeitherer1992:

``stellarWindsLeitherer1992``
-----------------------------

A stellar winds class using the fitting formulae of :cite:t:`leitherer_deposition_1992` to compute stellar wind energy input from the luminosity and effective temperature of a star.

**(Default implementation)**