Formation of the optical spectra of the coolest M- and L-dwarfs and lithium abundances in their atmospheres

Abstract

Theoretical aspects of modeling of spectra of late M- and L-dwarfs are discussed. We show, that the processes of formation of spectra of M- and L-dwarfs are basically different. Instead of the case of M-dwarfs, atoms of Ti and V should be depleted into grains in the atmospheres of L-dwarfs. Overall shape of the L-dwarf spectra is governed by the K I + Na I resonance line wings of the huge strength. To fit lithium lines observed in spectra of the coolest dwarfs we used two additional suggestions: a) there are some EXTRA depletions of molecular species absorbed in the optical spectra of L-dwarfs; b) there may be (a few?) additional (``dusty''?) opacity sources in their atmospheres. Problems of lithium line formation and the ``natural'' limitation of their use for the ``lithium test'' for the case of L-dwarfs are considered.