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The Dynamical Evolution of Binaries in Clusters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 August 2015

D. C. Heggie
D. C. Heggie*
Affiliation:
Trinity College, and Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge, U.K.

Abstract

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Using information on the rates at which binaries suffer encounters in a stellar system (Heggie, 1974a), we here study the effects of such processes on the evolution of the system itself. First considering systems with no binaries initially, we show that low-energy pairs attain a quasi-equilibrium distribution comparatively quickly. Their effect on the evolution of the cluster is negligible compared with that of two-body relaxation. In small systems energetic pairs may form sufficiently quickly to exercise a substantial effect on its development and on the escape rate, but in large systems their appearance is delayed until the evolution of the core is well advanced. In that case they appear to be responsible for arresting the collapse of the core at some stage.

Binaries of low energy, even if present initially in large numbers, are likely to have at most only a temporary effect on the evolution of the system. High-energy pairs are not easily destroyed, and so, if present initially, their effect is persistent. It competes with two-body relaxation especially when the fraction of such pairs and the total number-density are high, as in the core, where, in addition, binaries tend to congregate by mass segregation. When encounters with binaries become important, being mostly ‘super-elastic’ they enhance escape and lead to ejection of mass from the core into the halo, thus accelerating the rate at which mass is lost by tidal forces. It is difficult to decide observationally whether globular clusters possess sufficiently large numbers of binaries for these effects to be important.

Type
Part I/Spherical Systems
Information
Symposium - International Astronomical Union , Volume 69: Dynamics of Stellar Systems , 1975 , pp. 73 - 94
Copyright
Copyright © Reidel 1975 

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