Theoretical statistics of zero-age cataclysmic variables
Politano, Michael James
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/23928
Description
Title
Theoretical statistics of zero-age cataclysmic variables
Author(s)
Politano, Michael James
Issue Date
1988
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Webbink, Ronald F.
Department of Study
Physics
Discipline
Physics
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
white dwarf masses
mass ratios
orbital periods
cataclysmic variables
zero-age cataclysmic variables
Language
en
Abstract
"The distribution of the white dwarf masses, the distribution of
the mass ratios and the distribution of the orbital periods in
cataclysmic variables which are forming at the present time are
calculated. These systems are referred to as ""zero-age cataclysmic
variables"".
The results show that 60% of the systems being formed contain
helium white dwarfs and 40% contain carbon-oxygen white dwarfs. The
mean white dwarf mass in those systems containing helium white dwarfs
is 0.34 M .
0
The mean white dwarf mass in those systems containing
carbon-oxygen white dwarfs is 0.75 M . The distribution of white dwarf
0
masses in zero-age cataclysmic variables is similar to the distribution
of masses in single white dwarfs for masses above approximately 0.6 M .
0
The distribution of white dwarf masses in zero-age cataclysmic
variables is not sufficient to account for the observed high white
dwarf masses in cataclysmic variables, emphasizing the possible
importance of selection effects. The orbital period distribution
identifies four main classes of zero-age cataclysmic variables: 1.)
short-period systems containing helium white dwarfs, 2.) systems
containing carbon-oxygen white dwarfs whose secondaries are
convectively stable against rapid mass transfer to the white dwarf, 3.)
systems containing carbon-oxygen white dwarfs whose secondaries are
radiatively stable against rapid mass transfer to the white dwarf and
4.) long period systems with evolved secondaries. The ranges of
progenitor lobe-filling giant masses and radii are also better
identified.
The white dwarf mass distribution in zero-age cataclysmic
variables has direct application to the calculation of the frequency of
outbursts in classical novae as a function of the mass of the white
dwarf. The method developed in this thesis to calculate the
distributions of the orbital parameters in zero-age cataclysmic
variables can be used to calculate theoretical statistics of any class
of binary systems. This method provides a theoretical framework from
which to investigate the statistical properties and the evolution of
the orbital parameters of binary systems."
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