Fates of the sub-stellar objects (FOSSO) I. Fates of the known brown dwarfs in main-sequence--BD binaries

TL;DR

This study models the long-term evolution of brown dwarf companions to low-mass stars as they become white dwarfs, predicting the distribution of WD-BD binaries and guiding future observational searches.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive population synthesis approach to predict the fate of MS-BD systems through stellar evolution, reproducing observed features and proposing new detectable populations.

Findings

Reproduces the observed period gap in WD-BD binaries.

Identifies a boundary at 1-2 hour orbital periods separating detached and semi-detached systems.

Predicts many WD-BD systems remain undetected, encouraging targeted searches.

Abstract

Context. Understanding the survival and orbital evolution of brown dwarf (BD) companions during the post-main-sequence (MS) evolution of their host stars is increasingly important, especially with recent discoveries of many substellar companions around white dwarfs (WDs). Aims. We investigate the long-term evolution and final outcomes of BDs orbiting low-mass MS stars as these evolve into WDs. By comparing forward-modeling populations with observed WD-BD binaries, we test evolutionary models and predict the existence of yet-undetected systems. Methods. We employ the COMPAS binary population synthesis code to evolve observed MS-BD systems through the post-MS phases of their host stars into the WD stage, tracking orbital changes driven by mass loss, tides, and common-envelope (CE) evolution. Results. Our simulations reproduce a period gap in the distribution of detached WD-BD binaries, consistent with observations. We also identify a boundary separating detached and semi-detached systems on the period-mass diagram, located at orbital periods of $\sim$1-2 hours depending on the BD mass. Conclusions. We predict that a subset of currently known MS-BD binaries will survive post-MS evolution and emerge as detached WD-BD systems, while others will undergo CE evolution and potentially form cataclysmic variables with BD donors. Our results reproduce the observed period gap in WD-BD binaries and provide quantitative predictions for the role of CE efficiency in shaping their distribution. This work predicts that many WD-BD systems remain undetected, motivating targeted searches with microlensing and high-contrast imaging techniques using next-generation large telescopes.