Population synthesis of triple systems in the context of mergers of carbon-oxygen white dwarfs

Understand

Hierarchical triple systems are common among field stars yet their long-term evolution is poorly understood theoretically.

• In such systems Kozai cycles can be induced in the inner binary system during which the inner orbit eccentricity and the inclination between both binary orbits vary periodically.
• These cycles, combined with tidal friction and gravitational wave emission, can significantly affect the inner binary evolution.
• To investigate these effects quantitatively we perform a population synthesis study of triple systems and focus on evolutionary paths that lead to mergers of carbon-oxygen (CO) white dwarfs (WDs), which constitute an important candidate progenitor channel for type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia).