Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 May 2016
This review focuses on the evolution of single and binary optically bright post-AGB stars and the relation between the photospheric chemical abundances and the circumstellar material.
Surface abundance determinations of optically bright post-AGB stars offer a powerful tool, not only to clarify the evolutionary nature of the objects themselves, but also to constrain theoretical calculations for chemical evolution. However, a survey of recent results shows that the chemical patterns observed are very diverse and that several different classes can be distinguished. The most striking result is that only a minor fraction, namely the 21 μm objects, are conform to standard post third dredge-up theory.
In recent years it became clear that binarity can influence the late evolutionary stages considerably. A second part therefore discusses the varied and fundamental impact of the presence of a companion on the evolution of post-AGB systems.