The Evolution of Copper in the Globular Cluster Omega Centauri

Abstract

Copper abundances are presented for 40 red-giant stars in Omega Cen as well as 15 red-giant members of the globular clusters NGC288, NGC362, NGC3201, NGC6752, and M4. A comparison with the halo field star pattern indicates that, unlike the field stars, Omega Cen displays a constant ratio of [Cu/Fe] -0.5 all the way from [Fe/H]=-2.0 to -0.8. At the metallicity of [Fe/H]= -0.8, the values of [Cu/Fe] in Omega Cen fall below the corresponding mean ratio in the field stars by roughly 0.5 dex. If copper is produced primarily in type Ia supernovae (SN Ia), the lack of an increase in [Cu/Fe] in Omega Cen would suggest very little contribution from SN Ia to its chemical evolution within the metallicity range from [Fe/H] of -2.0 up to -0.8.