The lithium-rotation connection in young stars

Abstract

Lithium is a sensitive probe to mixing processes operating in stellar interiors. For many years, a connection has been suspected to exist between lithium abundances and stellar rotation, presumably the result of rotationally-induced internal mixing. In recent years, several studies have confirmed and refined this relationship for low-mass young stars. In various star forming regions and young open clusters, rapidly rotating K dwarfs are found to be lithium-rich compared to their more slowly rotating siblings. While this lithium-rotation correlation is contrary to naive expectations, several models have been put forward to account for it. We review here recent observational results, and briefly discuss proposed interpretations.