Formation and Evolution of Cataclysmic Variables

TL;DR

This paper reviews the formation and evolution of cataclysmic variables, emphasizing the role of mass and angular momentum loss, especially through common envelope evolution, and discusses their long-term evolutionary processes.

Contribution

It provides a summarized overview of the fundamental mechanisms and principles underlying CV formation and evolution, highlighting the importance of mass and angular momentum loss.

Findings

CV formation involves significant mass and angular momentum loss.

Common envelope evolution is likely a key process in CV formation.

The paper outlines the principles of long-term evolution of semi-detached binaries.

Abstract

This article summarizes the basic facts and ideas concerning the formation and evolution of cataclysmic variables (CVs). It is shown why the formation of CVs must involve huge losses of mass and orbital angular momentum, very likely via a common envelope evolution. A brief discussion of the principles of the long-term evolution of semi-detached binaries follows. Finally a brief sketch of CV evolution is given.