Evolving Low- and Intermediate-Mass Binaries: Departures from Classical Theory

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Auteur principal: Siess, Lionel
Format: Preprint
Publié: 2026
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author Siess, Lionel
author_facet Siess, Lionel
contents This review explores the physical mechanisms driving the evolution of low- and intermediate-mass binary star systems, with particular emphasis on emerging mechanisms that challenge classical paradigms. We begin by describing the principal formation channels and orbital properties of binary systems. A critical reassessment of the Roche lobe formalism is presented, focusing on systems with eccentric orbits and asynchronous rotation, where deviations from traditional approximations become significant. We then review current theoretical models of mass and angular momentum exchange via Roche-lobe overflow, incorporating results from recent hydrodynamical simulations of wind accretion. The review also reports advances in tidal dissipation theory. Finally, we explore mechanisms capable of sustaining or exciting orbital eccentricity, including perturbations induced by mass transfer and interactions with circumbinary disks. These discussions aim to outline underexplored facets of binary evolution, offering new perspectives for theoretical and observational studies.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2604_26144
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Evolving Low- and Intermediate-Mass Binaries: Departures from Classical Theory
Siess, Lionel
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
This review explores the physical mechanisms driving the evolution of low- and intermediate-mass binary star systems, with particular emphasis on emerging mechanisms that challenge classical paradigms. We begin by describing the principal formation channels and orbital properties of binary systems. A critical reassessment of the Roche lobe formalism is presented, focusing on systems with eccentric orbits and asynchronous rotation, where deviations from traditional approximations become significant. We then review current theoretical models of mass and angular momentum exchange via Roche-lobe overflow, incorporating results from recent hydrodynamical simulations of wind accretion. The review also reports advances in tidal dissipation theory. Finally, we explore mechanisms capable of sustaining or exciting orbital eccentricity, including perturbations induced by mass transfer and interactions with circumbinary disks. These discussions aim to outline underexplored facets of binary evolution, offering new perspectives for theoretical and observational studies.
title Evolving Low- and Intermediate-Mass Binaries: Departures from Classical Theory
topic Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.26144