WIYN Open Cluster Study. V. Lithium Depletion and Metallicity in G and K Dwarfs of the Open Cluster M35

We present an analysis of high-quality spectra of members of the young cluster M35. By using a multifiber spectrograph, we are able to collect high signal-to-noise ratio, high-resolution spectra of a sample of photometric candidate members. Accurate radial velocities are used to establish the membership status, and rotational velocities are measured using cross-correlation. We also derive the metal content of the cluster, [Fe/H] M35 = -0.21 ± 0.10, based on spectral synthesis. Finally, we derive the lithium abundances of the bona fide cluster members and compare the results with members of other clusters. For example, M35 shows a smaller range in both rotation rates and lithium abundances as compared to the Pleiades. We discuss possible roles of various parameters. Our high-quality M35 database of lithium abundances and rotational velocities is perfectly suited to be used as a laboratory to test theoretical models dealing with the lithium depletion phenomenon. We discuss the role of stellar inhomogeneities and rotation on the lithium depletion phenomenon.