The formation of condensed carbon particles in the atmospheres of white dwarfs

The existence of condensed carbon in the form of liquid droplets and graphite grains is found in white dwarf atmospheres with parameters g = 10 to the 8th cm/sq sec, H/He less than or equal to 0.00001, C/He = 0.001, and T(eff) less than or equal to 6000 K on the basis of model-atmosphere techniques. It is shown that the condensation layers are dynamically stable and, consequently, that white dwarfs cannot supply the condensed particles to the interstellar medium. Possible observable effects are considered.