Angular momentum loss and the evolution of cataclysmic binaries

1983 ◽  
Vol 268 ◽  
pp. 361 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Taam
1976 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 209-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter P. Eggleton

A two-stage mechanism is proposed whereby detached dwarf systems like V471 Tau may evolve into cataclysmic binaries. The two stages are (1) angular momentum loss from the secondary due to braking by a stellar wind linked with magnetic fields, and (2) angular momentum gain by the secondary from the orbital motion, due to tidal friction. This combination may be able to remove angular momentum from short-period binaries on a timescale of ~109 yr.


1979 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 474-477
Author(s):  
Charles A. Whyte ◽  
Peter P. Eggleton

AbstractSome aspects of the observational data on cataclysmic binaries are discussed and some possible correlations between type of behaviour and binary period are noted. A gap between 2 and 3 hours in the histogram of binary periods is estimated to be real. A numerical procedure for following the evolution of Roche-lobe-fiUing stars using simplified equations is described. This procedure Is applied to white/red dwarf binaries for a variety of initial conditions, and of mass loss and angular momentum loss mechanisms. The results of these calculations, in which we ignore the short timescale behaviour of the systems, are classified into four modes of evolution: normal, nuclear evolution dominated, angular momentum loss dominated and hydrodynamical. The results are discussed in connection with cataclysmic binaries. The clustering in period below 2 hours is Interpreted in terms of evolution following the hydrodynamical mode, and it is suggested that such systems contain low mass white dwarfs as well as low mass secondaries. These may be the most common type of cataclysmic binary. A possible explanation of the clustering of classical novae systems to binary periods of 3 to 5 hours is mentioned, and evolutionary scenarios for cataclysmic binaries are outlined. We suggest, following Ritter and Webbink, that the short period systems (≲ 2 hrs) arise mainly from late Case B mass transfer in the original binary (original primary mass 1.5 to 3M⊙) and the longer period systems arise mainly from Case C mass transfer.Full text to be published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.


2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S259) ◽  
pp. 423-424
Author(s):  
Asif ud-Doula ◽  
Stanley P. Owocki ◽  
Richard H.D. Townsend

AbstractWe examine the angular momentum loss and associated rotational spin-down for magnetic hot stars with a line-driven stellar wind and a rotation-aligned dipole magnetic field. Our analysis here is based on our previous 2-D numerical MHD simulation study that examines the interplay among wind, field, and rotation as a function of two dimensionless parameters, W(=Vrot/Vorb) and ‘wind magnetic confinement’, η∗ defined below. We compare and contrast the 2-D, time variable angular momentum loss of this dipole model of a hot-star wind with the classical 1-D steady-state analysis by Weber and Davis (WD), who used an idealized monopole field to model the angular momentum loss in the solar wind. Despite the differences, we find that the total angular momentum loss averaged over both solid angle and time follows closely the general WD scaling ~ ṀΩR2A. The key distinction is that for a dipole field Alfvèn radius RA is significantly smaller than for the monopole field WD used in their analyses. This leads to a slower stellar spin-down for the dipole field with typical spin-down times of order 1 Myr for several known magnetic massive stars.


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