Energy and Angular Momentum Deposition During Common Envelope Evolution

Abstract

I consider three processes which enhance mass loss rate from a common envelope of a giant star with a main sequence or a white dwarf companion spiraling-in inside its envelope. I consider deposition of orbital energy and orbital angular momentum to the giant's envelope, and in more detail the formation of jets by an accreting companion and their propagation in the envelope. I find that in many cases the deposition of orbital angular momentum to the envelope may be more important to the mass loss process than the deposition of orbital energy. Jets blown by an accreting companion, in particular a white dwarf, orbiting inside the outer regions of the giant's envelope may also dominate over orbital energy deposition at early stage of the common envelope evolution. These imply that studies which ignore the deposition of angular momentum to the envelope and the effects of the accreting companion may reach wrong conclusions.