2004A&A...420..605M

In a previous paper we reported on a discontinuity in the extreme horizontal branch (EHB) of the Galactic globular cluster NGC 6752, which we called the second U-jump. This feature was attributed to a combination of post zero-age horizontal branch evolution and diffusion effects. In this follow-up study we analyze other EHB clusters and show that the second U-jump is a common feature among EHB clusters reaching T_eff≥23000K, and that its onset in different clusters converges around T_eff∼21000±3000K. We also present near-ultraviolet diagrams of ωCen and NGC 2808, the only two objects with spectroscopically confirmed ``blue hook'' stars (T_eff≥35000K). We confirm predictions of a photometric discontinuity separating late from early-helium flashers. Moreover, we present empirical evidence that the second U-jump population might be mainly composed of early-helium flashers. Lastly, we revisit the discussion on the ubiquitous nature of the gaps and jumps so far identified in the blue HB tails, suggesting a possible discrete nature of the distribution in temperature of the HB stars.