From Evolution to Explosions: White Dwarfs in Compact Binaries

TYPEAstrophysics Seminar
Speaker:Silvia Toonen
Affiliation:Technion
Date:14.12.2016
Time:14:30 - 15:30
Location:Lidow 620
Abstract:From gravitational wave sources to progenitors of Supernova type Ia
(SNIa) explosions, compact binaries with white dwarfs components
are fascinating objects. In this seminar, I will review the
theoretical SNIa rates from merging and from accreting white dwarfs,
and compare these to observations in order to constrain the illusive
progenitors of the SNIae. I will discuss the progenitor evolution and
the uncertainties therein. A crucial evolutionary phase is the
common-envelope phase, in which the orbit can shrink dramatically.
However, despite the significance of the common-envelope phase for
many types of compact binaries, common-envelope evolution is poorly
understood.
I will review the (dis)-agreements between the observations and the
theoretical expectations and the constraints these provide on the
outcome of the common-envelope phase.
Lastly, I will discuss recent results in which we extend our modelling
efforts from the evolution of binary populations to triple systems.