Test particle orbits in a Roche model of a semidetached binary - an attempt to explain gamma-ray bursts

A mechanism to generate gamma-ray bursts in a semidetached binary system is considered. If the secondary in a synchronously rotating semidetached binary has a solid crust, pieces of it can become detached and can follow independent trajectories through an inner Lagrangian point and around the primary. If a piece of material hits the primary, gamma-rays may be produced. Two-dimensional trajectories of a test particle starting from the inner Lagrangian point were calculated for various mass ratios of primary and secondary stars. Numerical integrations were performed for a maximum of 16,240 orbits for one particular mass ratio; however, particles did not come sufficiently close to the center of the detached component to produce gamma-ray bursts. Three-body problem theory also indicates that the chances of collision are very low. (C.D.)