Simulations of common envelope evolution in triple systems: circumstellar case

ABSTRACT The dynamical evolution of triple stellar systems could induce the formation of compact binaries and binary mergers. Common envelope (CE) evolution, which plays a major role in the evolution of compact binary systems, can similarly play a key role in the evolution of triples. Here, we use h...

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Veröffentlicht in:Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 2021-01, Vol.500 (2), p.1921-1932
Hauptverfasser: Glanz, Hila, Perets, Hagai B
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:ABSTRACT The dynamical evolution of triple stellar systems could induce the formation of compact binaries and binary mergers. Common envelope (CE) evolution, which plays a major role in the evolution of compact binary systems, can similarly play a key role in the evolution of triples. Here, we use hydrodynamical simulations coupled with few-body dynamics to provide the first detailed models of the triple common envelope (TCE) evolution. We focus on the circumstellar case, where the envelope of an evolved giant engulfs a compact binary orbiting the giant, which then in-spirals into the core of the evolved star. Through our exploratory modelling, we find several possible outcomes of such TCE: the merger of the binary inside the third star’s envelope; the disruption of the in-spiralling binary following its plunge, leading to a chaotic triple dynamics of the stellar core and the two components of the former disrupted binary. The chaotic evolution typically leads to the in-spiral and merger of at least one of the former binary components with the core, and sometimes to the ejection of the second, or alternatively its further now-binary CE evolution. The in-spiral in TCE leads to overall slower in-spiral, larger mass ejection, and the production of more aspherical remnant, compared with a corresponding binary case of similar masses, due to the energy/momentum extraction from the inner-binary. We expect TCE to play a key role in producing various types of stellar-mergers and unique compact binary systems, and potentially induce transient electromagnetic and gravitational wave sources.
ISSN:0035-8711
1365-2966
DOI:10.1093/mnras/staa3242