Stripped helium-star and compact object binaries in coeval populations -- predictions based on detailed binary evolution models

TL;DR

This study uses detailed binary evolution models to predict the population and properties of massive star binaries with helium stars or compact objects in young stellar populations, aiding future observational searches.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive population predictions for OB+helium star and OB+compact object binaries in coeval populations based on extensive binary evolution simulations.

Findings

OB+black hole binaries peak at ~10 Myr

OB+neutron star binaries are most common at ~20 Myr

Black holes and neutron stars can be found up to 90 Myr in populations

Abstract

Massive stars mainly form in close binaries, where their mutual interactions can profoundly alter their evolutionary paths. Evolved binaries consisting of a massive OB-type main-sequence star with a stripped helium star or a compact companion represent a crucial stage in the evolution towards double compact objects, whose mergers are (potentially) detectable via gravitational waves. The recent detection of X-ray quiet OB+black hole binaries and OB+stripped helium star binaries has set the stage for discovering more of these systems in the near future. In this work, based on 3670 detailed binary-evolution models and using empirical distributions of initial binary parameters, we compute the expected population of such evolved massive binaries in coeval stellar populations, including stars in star clusters and in galaxies with starburst activities, for ages up to 100 Myr. Our results are vividly illustrated in an animation that shows the evolution of these binaries in the color-magnitude diagram over time. We find that the number of OB+black hole binaries peaks around 10 Myr, and OB+neutron star binaries are most abundant at approximately 20 Myr. Both black holes and neutron stars can potentially be found in populations with ages up to 90 Myr. Additionally, we analyze the properties of such binaries at specific ages. We find that OB+helium stars and OB+black hole binaries are likely to be identifiable as single-lined spectroscopic binaries. Our research serves as a guide for future observational efforts to discover such binaries in young star clusters and starburst environments.