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Description
HYDRA spectra of 287 stars in the field of NGC 2506 from the turnoff through the giant branch are analyzed. With previous data, 22 are identified as probable binaries; 90 more are classified as potential non-members. Spectroscopic analyses of ~60 red giants and slowly rotating turnoff stars using line equivalent widths and a neural network approach lead to [Fe/H]=-0.27+/-0.07 (s.d.) and [Fe/H]=-0.27+/-0.06 (s.d.), respectively. Li abundances are derived for 145 probable single-star members, 44 being upper limits. Among turnoff stars outside the Li-dip, A(Li)=3.04+/-0.16 (s.d.), with no trend with color, luminosity, or rotation speed. Evolving from the turnoff across the subgiant branch, there is a well-delineated decline to A(Li)~1.25 at the giant branch base, coupled with the rotational spindown from between ~20 and 70 km/s to less than 20 km/s for stars entering the subgiant branch and beyond. A(Li) remains effectively constant from the giant branch base to the red giant clump level. A new member above the clump redefines the path of the first-ascent red giant branch; its Li is 0.6 dex below the first-ascent red giants. With one exception, all post-He-flash stars have upper limits to A(Li), at or below the level of the brightest first-ascent red giant. The patterns are in excellent qualitative agreement with the model predictions for low/intermediate-mass stars which undergo rotation-induced mixing at the turnoff and subgiant branch, first dredge-up, and thermohaline mixing beyond the red giant bump.
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