English

Compact binaries in globular clusters

Astrophysics 2007-05-23 v2

Abstract

In dense stellar systems the frequent dynamical interactions between stars play a crucial role in the formation and evolution of compact binaries. We study these processes using a novel approach combining a state-of-the-art binary population synthesis code with a simple treatment of dynamical interactions in dense star cluster cores. Here we focus on the dynamical and evolutionary processes leading to the formation of compact binaries containing white dwarfs in dense globular clusters. We demonstrate that dynamics can increase by factors ~ 2 - 100 the production rates of interesting binaries such as cataclysmic variables, ``nonflickerers'' (He white dwarfs with a heavier dark companion), merging white dwarf binaries with total masses above the Chandrasekhar limit, and white dwarf binaries emitting gravitational waves in the LISA band.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0402537,
  title  = {Compact binaries in globular clusters},
  author = {N. Ivanova and F. A. Rasio},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0402537},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

to appear in Proceedings of IAU Colloquium 194 "Compact binaries in the Galaxy and beyond" (Rev. Mex. A&A Conf. Series), eds. G. Tovmassian and E. Sion