We resume the discussion about irradiation-driven mass transfer cycles in semi-detached compact binary systems. The analytical model that describes the onset of these cycles, which occur on a thermal timescale of the donor star, is reexam- ined. We take into account a contribution of the thermal relaxation which is not related to the irradiation of the donor star and which was neglected in previous studies. Cataclysmic variables (CVs) containing extended giant donors are more stable than previously thought. CVs close to the upper edge of the period gap can undergo cycles at low angular momentum loss rates, as has been suggested by recent magnetic braking prescriptions, while they are stable for high braking rates. A model for the irradiation geometry that takes into account surface elements near the terminator of the donor star indicates that possibly also low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) can undergo mass transfer cycles. Regarding the braking rate, which is necessary to drive cycles, the same restrictions apply for short period LMXBs as for short period CVs. We confirm that LMXBs containing giants can undergo cyles. In terms of the irradiation efficiency parameter α, CVs are susceptible to irradiation instability for α 0.1 while LMXBs are susceptible for α 0.1. The predictions of the analytical model are checked by the first long-term evolutionary computations of systems undergoing mass transfer cycles with full 1D stellar models. For unevolved main sequence (MS) and giant donors the analytic model provides reasonable values for the boundaries of the stable and unstable regions while CVs containing highly evolved MS donors are more stable than expected at high braking rates. Taking into account irradiation, the minimum period of CVs is increased by up to 1−2 min, depending on α.

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Long-term evolution of compact binaries with irradiation feedback

We present seven newly discovered non-eclipsing short-period binary systems with low-mass companions, identified by the recently introduced BEER algorithm, applied to the publicly available 138-day photometric light curves obtained by the Kepler mission. The detection is based on the beaming effect (sometimes called Doppler boosting), which increases (decreases) the brightness of any light source approaching (receding from) the observer, enabling a prediction of the stellar Doppler radial-velocity (RV) modulation from its precise photometry. The BEER algorithm identifies the BEaming periodic modulation, with a combination of the well-known Ellipsoidal and Reflection/heating periodic effects, induced by short-period companions. The seven detections were confirmed by spectroscopic RV follow-up observations, indicating minimum secondary masses in the range 0.07-0.4 M{sub Sun }. The binaries discovered establish for the first time the feasibility of the BEER algorithm as a new detection method for short-period non-eclipsing binaries, with the potential to detect in the near future non-transiting brown-dwarf secondaries, or even massive planets.

http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0004-637X/746/2/185/pdf

Seven new binaries discovered in the kepler light curves through the beer method confirmed by radial-velocity observations

We have discovered periodic light variations (P = 0.1718023 d) in the sdB star HS 2333+3927 in the BVR bands with amplitudes of 0.21, 0.28 and 0.33 mag, respectively. Sinusoidal radial velocity variations at the same period were detected with a semi-amplitude of K1 = 89. 6k m s −1 , indicating that it is binary system and that the light variations are caused by the reflection effect with no eclipses. A mass function of f (m) = 0.0128 Mhas been determined. The analysis of the light curve did not yield a unique solution, mainly because the albedo of the secondary is poorly constrained. Two solutions of equal quality with a high (A2 = 1.0) and a low (A2 = 0.39) albedo were considered further. Variability of the Balmer line profiles, most notably for Hα, was discovered, probably also caused by the reflection effect. A spectroscopic analysis results in Teff = 36 500 K, log g = 5.70, and log (nHe/nH) = −2.15. These characteristics are typical for sdB stars. Mass-radius relations are derived from the results of the analysis of light and radial-velocity curves. Comparison with the observed mass-radius relation of the sdB star and with that of lower main sequence stars for the companion allows us to discard the high albedo solution, because the resulting mass of the primary and the radius of the secondary would be unreasonably low. From a discussion of evolutionary models we constrain the plausible mass of the sdB to the range between 0.29 Mand 0.47 M� . Accordingly, the mass of the secondary is between 0.24 Mand 0.32 M� , indicating a spectral type of M3 to M4. HS 2333+3927 is only the sixth sdB+dM system discovered so far. An improved measurement of the gravity and the projected rotational velocity of the sdB star is required to further constrain the masses and to identify the evolutionary state of the sdB star uniquely.

/pdf/hs-2333-3927-a-new-sdb-dm-binary-with-a-large-reflection-1qengvu4la.pdf

HS 2333+3927: A new sdB+dM binary with a large reflection effect

We analyzed the Kepler light curves of four transiting hot Jupiter systems?KOI-13, HAT-P-7, TrES-2, and Kepler-76, which show BEaming, Ellipsoidal, and Reflection (BEER) phase modulations. The mass of the four planets can be estimated from either the beaming or the ellipsoidal amplitude, given the mass and radius of their parent stars. For KOI-13, HAT-P-7, and Kepler-76 we find that the beaming-based planetary mass estimate is larger than the mass estimated from the ellipsoidal amplitude, consistent with previous studies. This apparent discrepancy may be explained by equatorial superrotation of the planet atmosphere, which induces an angle shift of the planet reflection/emission phase modulation, as was suggested for Kepler-76 in the first paper of this series. We propose a modified BEER model that supports superrotation, assuming either a Lambertian or geometric reflection/emission phase function, and provides a photometry-consistent estimate of the planetary mass. Our analysis shows that for Kepler-76 and HAT-P-7, the Lambertian superrotation BEER model is highly preferable over an unshifted null model, while for KOI-13 it is preferable only at a 1.4? level. For TrES-2 we do not find such preference. For all four systems the Lambertian superrotation model mass estimates are in excellent agreement with the planetary masses derived from, or constrained by, radial velocity measurements. This makes the Lambertian superrotation BEER model a viable tool for estimating the masses of hot Jupiters from photometry alone. We conclude that hot Jupiter superrotation may be a common phenomenon that can be detected in the visual light curves of Kepler.

BEER Analysis of Kepler and CoRoT Light Curves. II. Evidence for Superrotation in the Phase Curves of Three Kepler Hot Jupiters

We report the discovery of four short-period eclipsing systems in the Kepler light curves, consisting of an A-star primary and a low-mass white dwarf (WD) secondary (dA+WD)—KIC 4169521, KOI-3818, KIC 2851474, and KIC 9285587. The systems show BEaming, Ellipsoidal and Reflection (BEER) phase modulations together with primary and secondary eclipses. These add to the 6 Kepler and 18 WASP short-period eclipsing dA+WD binaries that were previously known. The light curves, together with follow-up spectroscopic observations, allow us to derive the masses, radii, and effective temperatures of the two components of the four systems. The orbital periods, of 1.17–3.82 days, and WD masses, of 0.19–0.22 M{sub ⊙}, are similar to those of the previously known systems. The WD radii of KOI-3818, KIC 2851474, and KIC 9285587 are 0.026, 0.035, and 0.026 R{sub ⊙}, respectively, the smallest WD radii derived so far for short-period eclipsing dA+WD binaries. These three binaries extend the previously known population to older systems with cooler and smaller WD secondaries. KOI-3818 displays evidence for a fast-rotating primary and a minute but significant eccentricity, ∼1.5 × 10{sup −3}. These features are probably the outcome of the mass-transfer process.

http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0004-637X/815/1/26/pdf

BEER Analysis of Kepler and CoRoT Light Curves. IV. Discovery of Four New Low-mass White-Dwarf Companions in the Kepler Data

The weakest point in the modern models of eclipsing binary systems (EBS) is the treatment given to the effects of mutual irradiation. In this review, which does not have a similar one in the literature, I tried to collect all the work done on the irradiation problem until the middle of 1984, in order to make possible an evaluation of the present status of problem. Special emphasis is given to the applicability of the results to the analysis of EBS. The treatment given to the effect by the early studies as well as by practically all the modern models of EBS is described, and special attention is given to works analysing the problem using stellar model atmospheres. It turns out that the effect is more complex than suspected earlier, but that significant progress has been made recently.

Luiz Paulo R. Vaz

Papers

The reflection effect in eclipsing binary systems