The Birth of Binary Stars
Scorecard
Motivation
Key Concepts
Density Regimes of Interest
GM/(c
2
R)
Relevant Timescales
Observational Relevance
Ellipsoidal Figures of Equilibrium
The Fission Hypothesis
Classically, in the Context of Stars
In the Context of
Other Fields
Lebovitz's Modification
Strategy
Simulation Technique
Governing Equations for CFD Simulations
Explicit Time-Integration
Finite-Difference Scheme
Uniform, Cylindrical Lattice
(no AMR)
[ Typically (128,256,90) in (R,
q
,Z) ]
Rotating Frame
van Leer Advection
[
a la
ZEUS-2D
]
Heterogeneous Computing Environment
Simulation Results
Two-Armed Spiral Instability
C.A.R.E.s
Slow Cooling
The Destruction of Binary Stars
Motivation
Parameter Space
Initial Equilibrium Configurations
HSCF technique
Equal-Mass Sequences
Polytropic Sequences
Two Example Models
Unequal-Mass Example
[side view]
Simulation Results
Stable Systems
Unequal-Mass
Equal-Mass
Merger of Equal-Mass System
Another Arena