Stellar Multiplicity and Debris Disks: An Unbiased Sample

TL;DR

This study investigates the occurrence and properties of debris disks around stars in binary and multiple systems, revealing that disk characteristics are similar regardless of stellar multiplicity, with some differences in disk frequency among certain spectral types.

Contribution

It provides an unbiased analysis of stellar multiplicity and debris disks using a large sample, including new companion discoveries and detailed comparison of disk properties in single and multiple star systems.

Findings

Disks are less common around binaries than single stars.

Disk properties are statistically similar in binary and single star systems.

The period distribution of disk-bearing binaries matches that of non-disk binaries.

Abstract

Circumstellar dust disks have been observed around many nearby stars. However, many stars are part of binary or multiple stellar systems. A natural question arises regarding the presence and properties of such disks in systems with more than one star. To address this, we consider a sample of 449 systems (spectral types A-M) observed with the Herschel Space Observatory as part of the DEBRIS program. We have examined the stellar multiplicity of this sample by gathering information from the literature and performing an adaptive optics imaging survey at Lick Observatory. Five new companions were revealed with our program. In total, we identify 188 (42%) binary or multiple star systems. The multiplicity of the sample is examined with regards to the detection of circumstellar disks for stars of spectral types AFGK. In general, disks are less commonly detected around binaries than single stars, though the disk frequency is comparable among A stars regardless of multiplicity. However, this sample reveals the period distribution of disk-bearing binaries is consistent with that of non-disk binaries and with comparison field samples. We find that the properties of disks in binary systems are not statistically different from those around single stars. Although the frequency of disk-bearing FGK binaries may be lower than in single star systems, the processes behind disk formation and the characteristics of these disks are comparable among both populations.