Three-dimensional modeling of mass transfer in close binary systems with non-synchronous rotation

TL;DR

This paper uses three-dimensional simulations to explore how non-synchronous rotation of the donor star affects mass transfer flow patterns in close binary systems, revealing new flow behaviors and disk dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed 3D modeling approach for mass transfer in binary systems with non-synchronous stellar rotation, highlighting flow pattern differences from synchronous cases.

Findings

Formation of circumbinary envelope similar to previous models

Absence of hot spot on accretion disk edge

Flow behavior changes with misaligned, non-synchronous rotation

Abstract

We present the results of three-dimensional numerical simulations of mass transfer in semi-detached binary systems in which the mass-losing star is rotating. The cases of aligned and misaligned non-synchronous rotation of the donor star are considered; the resulting flow patterns are compared to the synchronous case. The main properties of the flow, such as the formation of an circumbinary envelope, the absence of a "hot spot" on the edge of the accretion disk, and the formation of a shock wave along the flow edge, are qualitatively similar to those obtained earlier. For the case of misaligned, non-synchronous rotation, the behavior of the disk and surrounding matter in established flow regime reflects changes in the boundary conditions at the surface of the donor star; in other words, a "driven disk" model is realized in the calculations.