Wide sdB binaries. I. Orbital and atmospheric parameters

TL;DR

This study analyzes 32 wide binary systems with hot subdwarf and main-sequence stars, deriving their orbital and atmospheric parameters to better understand their formation and evolution.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive orbital and atmospheric parameter analysis of a sizable sample of long-period sdB binaries using high-resolution spectroscopy.

Findings

Derived orbital parameters for 32 sdB binaries.

Compared observational data with theoretical models.

Enhanced understanding of binary evolution scenarios.

Abstract

Long-period binary systems containing a B-type hot subdwarf (sdB) and a main-sequence companion are thought to originate from binary interactions involving stable mass transfer from the red giant, the progenitor of the sdB, to the MS companion. However, despite the recent progress in modelling their population, some of their observed properties are not entirely understood. Because determining their orbits requires extended campaigns of high-resolution spectroscopic observations, only a limited number of long-period sdB binaries have been studied with completely determined orbital parameters. A sample of 32 wide binary systems containing sdB stars was selected for the analysis of the radial velocity curves of both companions. The dataset consisted of high-resolution spectra obtained with the HERMES and UVES spectrographs. The orbital parameters were derived by simultaneously fitting Keplerian orbits to the radial velocities of the sdB and its companion. The atmospheric parameters of the cool companions were determined using the GSSP code, which analyses the master spectra of the systems with a grid of LTE atmospheric models. An additional sample of wide sdB binaries was built up by cross-matching the Gaia NSS catalogue with catalogues of sdB candidates and spectroscopically confirmed systems reported by Culpan2022A&A catalogues. The outcomes from both samples were compared with existing theoretical models to assess their consistency with current formation and evolutionary scenarios.