The formation and properties of helium-degenerate dwarfs

We have systematically analyzed the evolution of a wide variety of binary systems that ultimately lead to the formation of detached or semi-detached helium degenerate dwarfs (HeDD's). Specifically, we have explored some of the more important dimensions of parameter space including various: (i)...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nelson, L, MacCannell, K, Davis, A
Format: Conference item
Published: 2001
_version_ 1797096879512616960
author Nelson, L
MacCannell, K
Davis, A
author_facet Nelson, L
MacCannell, K
Davis, A
author_sort Nelson, L
collection OXFORD
description We have systematically analyzed the evolution of a wide variety of binary systems that ultimately lead to the formation of detached or semi-detached helium degenerate dwarfs (HeDD's). Specifically, we have explored some of the more important dimensions of parameter space including various: (i) metallicities; (ii) mass-transfer rates; and, (iii) states of evolution of the donor at the onset of mass transfer (equivalent to choosing different initial orbital separations). As has been shown in other papers, there is a sharp bifurcation in the evolutionary phenomena that lead to the formation of HeDD's. If the donor star is sufficiently evolved at the onset of mass transfer, then the binary will ultimately evolve to long orbital periods and the HeDD will detach from its Roche Lobe and cool indefinitely. In the other case, the donor continuously loses mass as the binary evolves to very short orbital periods. By examining the evolutionary results for a comprehensive range of starting conditions, the initial properties of HeDD's that undergo cooling can be determined. This is especially important since HeDD's initially cool very quickly and are most likely to be detected when they are relatively luminous. Moreover, many HeDD's are observed as companions in binary millisecond pulsar (BMSP) systems, and thus an accurate evaluation of their initial properties (e.g., surface temperature and luminosity) is central to the estimation of the ages of these systems.
first_indexed 2024-03-07T04:47:51Z
format Conference item
id oxford-uuid:d3ebd77e-ce4e-4ccc-957b-8287a4edfad8
institution University of Oxford
last_indexed 2024-03-07T04:47:51Z
publishDate 2001
record_format dspace
spelling oxford-uuid:d3ebd77e-ce4e-4ccc-957b-8287a4edfad82022-03-27T08:14:42ZThe formation and properties of helium-degenerate dwarfsConference itemhttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_5794uuid:d3ebd77e-ce4e-4ccc-957b-8287a4edfad8Symplectic Elements at Oxford2001Nelson, LMacCannell, KDavis, AWe have systematically analyzed the evolution of a wide variety of binary systems that ultimately lead to the formation of detached or semi-detached helium degenerate dwarfs (HeDD's). Specifically, we have explored some of the more important dimensions of parameter space including various: (i) metallicities; (ii) mass-transfer rates; and, (iii) states of evolution of the donor at the onset of mass transfer (equivalent to choosing different initial orbital separations). As has been shown in other papers, there is a sharp bifurcation in the evolutionary phenomena that lead to the formation of HeDD's. If the donor star is sufficiently evolved at the onset of mass transfer, then the binary will ultimately evolve to long orbital periods and the HeDD will detach from its Roche Lobe and cool indefinitely. In the other case, the donor continuously loses mass as the binary evolves to very short orbital periods. By examining the evolutionary results for a comprehensive range of starting conditions, the initial properties of HeDD's that undergo cooling can be determined. This is especially important since HeDD's initially cool very quickly and are most likely to be detected when they are relatively luminous. Moreover, many HeDD's are observed as companions in binary millisecond pulsar (BMSP) systems, and thus an accurate evaluation of their initial properties (e.g., surface temperature and luminosity) is central to the estimation of the ages of these systems.
spellingShingle Nelson, L
MacCannell, K
Davis, A
The formation and properties of helium-degenerate dwarfs
title The formation and properties of helium-degenerate dwarfs
title_full The formation and properties of helium-degenerate dwarfs
title_fullStr The formation and properties of helium-degenerate dwarfs
title_full_unstemmed The formation and properties of helium-degenerate dwarfs
title_short The formation and properties of helium-degenerate dwarfs
title_sort formation and properties of helium degenerate dwarfs
work_keys_str_mv AT nelsonl theformationandpropertiesofheliumdegeneratedwarfs
AT maccannellk theformationandpropertiesofheliumdegeneratedwarfs
AT davisa theformationandpropertiesofheliumdegeneratedwarfs
AT nelsonl formationandpropertiesofheliumdegeneratedwarfs
AT maccannellk formationandpropertiesofheliumdegeneratedwarfs
AT davisa formationandpropertiesofheliumdegeneratedwarfs