arXiv subjects

Ilya Mandel

Publications and source records attributed to Ilya Mandel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The Kick Velocities of Neutron Stars in Binary Systems

Neutron stars (NSs) receive natal kicks on their formation in supernovae (SNe). We consider constraints placed on the natal kick magnitudes by NSs in different classes of binary systems. We compare observed systems to predictions from the COMPAS rapid population synthesis code, where we apply kick models with varied natal kick prescriptions. Specifically, we compare binary orbits (i.e., periods and eccentricities) and systemic kick estimates of (1) Gaia observations of NS-harboring binaries (Gaia NSs), (2) NS low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), (3) NS-white dwarf binaries (NSWDs), (4) NS high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) and in particular Be X-ray binaries (BeXBs), and (5) double NSs (DNSs). In this comparison, we find that we can reproduce most of the observed properties of the Gaia NSs, LMXBs, and NSWDs with natal kicks calibrated to the velocities of young isolated pulsars, although we need a small amount of "rocket" kicks to explain the Gaia NS eccentricities. The HMXBs and DNSs, in contrast, show evidence of significantly reduced NS natal kicks. In particular, we find that an apparent correlation between eccentricity and systemic kick for DNSs can be explained by Blaauw kicks, if the natal kicks are $\lesssim 10$ km s$^{-1}$. Although our model does not align well with low-metallicity Gaia NSs, high-eccentricity BeXBs, and DNS mass estimates, we provide alternative hypothetical explanations for these systems. We conclude that a model in which NSs that are formed in binaries with high-mass companions receive significantly reduced natal kicks can provide a relatively consistent explanation for the observed NSs in binary systems.

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arXiv2026

On Bimodality in the Eccentricity Distribution of Galactic Double Neutron Stars

The detection of Galactic double neutron stars (DNSs) through pulsar timing offers a unique opportunity to probe massive stellar and binary evolution. The observed DNS population exhibits an apparently bimodal eccentricity distribution, with an absence of systems at measured intermediate eccentricities, $0.4 \lesssim e_{\rm m} \lesssim 0.58$, whose origin remains unclear. We propose that this possible gap can arise naturally if the relationship between the progenitor masses and neutron star (NS) masses is non-monotonic, provided that the second-born NS receives a sufficiently small natal kick. We illustrate this scenario using the population synthesis code COMPAS, and find that our DNS population model can reproduce the observed orbital period-eccentricity distribution relatively well, including the apparent bimodality. Although a larger observed sample is required to draw more robust conclusions, our results suggest that this model provides a natural pathway for explaining current observations of Galactic DNSs through isolated binary evolution.

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arXiv2026

Gamma-ray burst progenitors revisited

Recently, several long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) associated with kilonovae have cast doubt on the traditional, dichotomous mapping between gamma-ray duration and progenitor system. Here, we investigate the rates and properties of bursts which appear to cross this dichotomy using a sample of GRBs for which progenitor constraints are possible. We first build a sample of known Swift-detected GRBs at z<0.3, finding 8 short- and 21 long-duration GRBs. Of these long GRBs, we find 9 bursts with deep limits on supernova emission, evidence for kilonova emission, or association with a quiescent galaxy (31% $\pm$ 9% of all GRBs at z<0.3), implying that a significant fraction of nearby long GRBs likely do not come from massive stars. At z<0.3, no short GRB has an observed supernova counterpart. We find comparable numbers when expanding to z<0.5 and other gamma-ray telescopes, though we obtain a decreased fraction of bursts with robust constraints on a progenitor. We further find that the long GRBs with no associated supernovae possess on-average fainter afterglows and lie in less star-forming host galaxies than those with supernovae, supporting that these events may originate in compact object mergers. We estimate approximate volumetric rates, finding similar (on-axis) rates for short GRBs and supernova-less long GRBs of $\sim 0.5-2.5$ Gpc$^{-3}$ yr$^{-1}$, although a search for possible low-redshift hosts of the complete Swift catalog suggests that our sample may be $\sim$50% complete. If supernova-less long GRBs arise from compact object mergers, this implies that $\sim$ 30-70% of all z<0.3 Swift long GRBs may arise from mergers and that the $z<0.3$ rates of mergers from long and short GRBs are comparable. These findings hold substantial implications for gravitational-wave coincidence and heavy element enrichment.

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arXiv2026

Semi-Analytical Model for the Evolution of Stellar Binaries in the Empty Loss Cone of Massive Black Holes

Binary star systems orbiting close to a supermassive black hole (SMBH) evolve through encounters with other stars, the SMBH's tidal forces, and the binary's internal dynamics, including general relativistic precession and tides. Many are driven onto highly eccentric inner binary orbits, potentially leading to stellar mergers; other possible outcomes include hypervelocity star ejections or tidal disruption events. We study the evolution of binaries in the empty loss cone regime, where the outer orbit's angular momentum change per orbit due to scattering off other stars is smaller than the outer angular momentum at the tidal separation radius. We build on the work of Hamers \& Samsing to develop a computationally efficient semi-analytical model that captures the long term evolution of binaries in perturbative regimes where the ratio of the binary tidal separation radius to the pericenter around the SMBH is smaller than 0.15. Crucially, we apply corrections to preserve the orthogonality between the binary's eccentricity and angular momentum vectors, which prevents unphysical eccentricity growth. From these simulations, we find analytical fits for the probability distributions of the final orbital parameters of binaries approaching the SMBH. We find that general relativistic precession efficiently suppresses von-Zeipel-Lidov-Kozai-like eccentricity oscillations and reduces the fraction of merging binaries from $84\%$ with Newtonian physics only, to $3\%$ with precession included. Stellar tides further reduce the merger fraction to $0.4\%$.

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arXiv2026

The Sun's chemical peculiarity: disentangling Galactic chemical evolution and planetary engulfment in solar twins

Recent observational studies have suggested that the Sun may be chemically peculiar relative to the majority of solar twins. Here, we re-analyse high-resolution, high signal-to-noise spectra of 79 nearby solar twins using a differential spectroscopic approach and Bayesian framework to test whether the Sun's chemical peculiarity arises from Galactic chemical evolution (GCE) or planetary ingestion. Using the spectroscopic tool Korg, we obtain highly precise, validated atmospheric parameters and abundances for 18 elements, with an average abundance precision of 0.015dex (3.5%). Employing an independent Bayesian indicator, we disentangle GCE and planetary engulfment signatures from other processes influencing stellar composition, including intrinsic abundance scatter. Our results indicate that the chemical peculiarity of the Sun relative to the average solar twin is largely driven by GCE effects, with 62.3$\pm$5.8% of our sample exhibiting abundance patterns well-described by GCE trends. We further identify 2--6 solar twin candidates exhibiting chemical signatures consistent with planetary engulfment that warrant further investigation. These findings reinforce the importance of accounting for GCE effects when interpreting solar twin abundance patterns, and suggest that the Sun may not be chemically peculiar relative to the majority of solar twins.

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arXiv2026

Modern tidal interaction models for rapid binary population synthesis: II. Binary black hole formation, mergers, and spins

We present predictions for the merger rates and effective spin ($\chi_{\rm eff}$) distribution of binary black holes (BBHs) from isolated binary evolution, using a new self-consistent tidal dissipation implementation in the rapid binary population synthesis code COMPAS. Most of the first-born black holes (BHs) in our simulated merging BBHs are formed with zero spins, with the exception of BBHs formed from chemically homogeneous evolution. The spins of the second-born BHs with the new model depend significantly on the efficiency of tidal dissipation and mass transfer history, and crucially, are not always consistent with pre-supernova synchronization. High-$\chi_{\rm eff}$ binaries preferentially merge at high redshift due to smaller binary separations at BBH formation and shorter coalescence times, thus rendering them largely inaccessible to current gravitational wave (GW) detectors. We expect the intrinsic spin distribution of merging BBHs formed from isolated evolution to be strongly biased toward low $\chi_{\rm eff}$ with current detectors, with a third of systems having $\chi_{\rm eff} < 0.05$ and only $\sim 3\%$ with $\chi_{\rm eff}>0.5$. However, $\chi_{\rm eff}$ will increase as GW detectors become sensitive to higher redshift sources, with up to $\sim 15\%$ of systems having $\chi_{\rm eff}>0.5$.

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arXiv2026

Continuous mass ablation of planets engulfed in stellar envelopes

Most stars host short-period planets that are expected to be engulfed during post-main-sequence expansion. The dissolution of engulfed planets has been proposed as a possible mechanism for producing stars enriched in lithium and refractory elements. We perform three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of a Jupiter-like planet engulfed within a stellar envelope using the Seven-League Hydro code. Unlike previous studies that represent the planet as a point mass or rigid sphere, we adopt a wind-tunnel setup that resolves the planet's gaseous structure. We find that a continuous mass-ablation process operates during planetary engulfment, contrary to the common assumption that destruction occurs at a specific depth due to ram pressure, tidal forces, or thermal evaporation. The ablation rate scales nearly linearly with the wind momentum flux and is largely insensitive to the Mach number, consistent with an analytical model based on Kelvin-Helmholtz instability developing at the planetary surface. We define efficiency coefficients for drag and ablation, finding pressure-drag coefficients of 0.44-0.56 and smaller ablation efficiencies of 0.054-0.11. Applying these coefficients to a numerically integrated inspiral through a stellar profile, we find that continuous ablation could lead to complete dissolution of the planet within the convective envelope, producing observable lithium enrichment at the stellar surface. Our results provide prescriptions for drag and mass loss that enable large parameter-space studies of planetary engulfment and suggest that chemical enrichment may occur over a broader range of stellar parameters than previously thought.

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arXiv2026

Modern tidal interaction models for rapid binary population synthesis: I. Methods

In this work, we present an updated prescription of contemporary tidal dissipation theory adapted for rapid binary population synthesis. Our simplified expressions encode the dependence of tidal dissipation on stellar structure, stratification, and tidal forcing frequency, while remaining computationally efficient. We implement these prescriptions in the rapid population synthesis code COMPAS, and demonstrate the self-consistent coupling of tides with stellar evolution and binary properties such as orbital periods, spins, and eccentricities for several representative binary systems. When compared with commonly used tidal prescriptions, our equilibrium tidal dissipation efficiencies can be stronger by 1-2 orders of magnitude for low mass main sequence and giant type stars, and dynamical tides can be stronger by 1-7 orders of magnitude due to the explicit dependence on internal stellar structure and the presence of inertial wave dissipation. Despite our simplistic approach, our models agree with detailed stellar simulations to within an order of magnitude across tidal dissipation mechanisms.

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arXiv2026

Reconciling the Systemic Kicks of Observed Millisecond Pulsars, Spider Pulsars, and Low-mass X-ray Binaries

Millisecond pulsars (MSPs) have been proposed as evolutionary products of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) through a stage in which they are spider pulsars (i.e., redbacks and black widows). However, recent work has found that the systemic kicks of observed MSPs are significantly lower than the kicks of LMXBs and spiders, which appears to be in tension with this evolutionary model. We argue that this tension can be relieved, at least to some degree, by considering the fact that the observed MSPs are located at relatively short distances, whereas spider pulsars are located at greater distances and LMXBs are situated even further away. We model the distance-dependent kinematic bias for dynamically old objects, which favors observing objects that have received low kicks at short distances and correct the observed systemic kicks for this bias. We find that this kinematic bias can be big enough to close the gap between the MSP and LMXB kicks, although the spider pulsars appear to come from a slightly different systemic kick distribution, but this difference is not necessarily physical. All corrected systemic kick distributions are consistent with predictions from binary population synthesis for progenitor systems with a post-supernova orbital period of $P_{\text{orb}}\leq10\,$d and a companion mass of $M_{c}\leq1\,M_{\odot}$, where the natal kicks are calibrated to the velocities of young isolated pulsars. We conclude that the difference in observed systemic kicks is not necessarily in tension with a common origin for MSPs, spider pulsars, and LMXBs.

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arXiv2025

Evolution of Massive Main-sequence Stars in Rapid Population Synthesis. I. Framework and Implementation

Stars spend most of their lifetime on the main sequence (MS), where hydrogen burning establishes the internal chemical structure that governs the subsequent evolution. In massive stars, mass loss through winds and binary interactions can significantly modify this structure during the MS. We present a new MS evolution framework suitable for rapid binary population synthesis, implemented in the COMPAS code. Building on the semianalytical model of Shikauchi et al., our framework captures the evolution of the convective core on the MS under arbitrary mass-loss or mass-gain histories, including a treatment for stellar rejuvenation and MS mergers. This new framework yields more massive helium cores at terminal-age MS, more compact radii in stripped MS stars, and systematically higher black hole masses than commonly used prescriptions. By providing a more realistic treatment of MS evolution, this framework improves the physical consistency of massive stars and binary evolution in rapid population synthesis.

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arXiv2025

The maximum offsets of binary neutron star mergers from host galaxies

We analytically derive, and illustrate with a population synthesis model, the maximum offset of binary neutron star mergers ejected from their host galaxies. This approximate maximum offset is 300 kpc $\times\ (v_\mathrm{esc} / 500\ \mathrm{km}\ \mathrm{s}^{-1})^{-7}$, where $v_\mathrm{esc}$ is the escape velocity from the host galaxy. Massive hosts with high escape velocities are unlikely to yield very large offsets. This maximum offset should inform the host associations of mergers that are not coincident with galaxies. We also discuss potential correlations between offsets and system masses, and possibly the duration of the gamma-ray burst accompanying the merger.

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arXiv2025

The metallicity dependence of long-duration gamma-ray bursts

Both theoretical models and observations of collapsar created gamma-ray bursts -- typically long-duration gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs) -- suggest that these transients cannot occur at high metallicity, likely due to angular momentum losses via stellar winds for potential progenitor stars. However, the precise metallicity threshold (if it is a hard threshold) above which the formation of LGRBs is suppressed is still a topic of discussion. We investigated observed LGRBs and the properties of their host galaxies to constrain this metallicity dependence. In order to compute LGRB rates we modelled the cosmic history of star formation, as a function of host galaxy metallicity and stellar mass, and added a LGRB efficiency function that can include various shapes including abrupt cutoffs and more gradual variations in the GRB yield with metallicity. In contrast to previous work, this model includes scatters in the relations between mass, metallicity, and star formation rate, as well as a scatter in the metallicity distribution inside galaxies. We then varied both the threshold value and shape, and compared it to observed LGRBs and the properties of their host galaxies. In our model a sharp cutoff at an oxygen abundance $Z_{\text{O/H}}=12+\log(\text{O/H})=8.6\pm0.1$ (corresponding to $\sim0.6Z_{\odot}$) provides the best explanation for the observed LGRB data. In contrast, a lower threshold proposed in literature (i.e. at $Z_{\text{O/H}}=8.3$ or $\sim0.3Z_{\odot}$) fits observations poorly. We therefore conclude that, in contrast to most theoretical LGRB models, a relatively high metallicity threshold at near-solar values provides the best match between our model and observed LGRBs.

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arXiv2025

Good things always come in 3s: trimodality in the binary black-hole chirp-mass distribution supports bimodal black-hole formation

The latest GWTC-4 release from the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA (LVK) collaboration nearly doubles the known population of double compact object mergers and reveals a new trimodal structure in the chirp-mass distribution of merging binary black holes (BBHs) below 30 Msun. Recent detailed stellar evolution models show that features in the pre-collapse cores of massive stars produce a bimodal black hole (BH) mass distribution, which naturally extends to a trimodal BBH chirp-mass distribution. Both distributions depend only weakly on metallicity, implying universal structural features which can be tested with LVK observations. Using a new compact-remnant mass prescription derived from these models, we perform rapid population synthesis simulations to test the robustness of the predicted chirp-mass structure against uncertainties in binary evolution and cosmic star formation history, and compare these results with the current observational data. The trimodal chirp-mass distribution emerges as a robust outcome of the new remnant-mass model, persisting across variations in binary and cosmic physics. In contrast, traditional BH formation models lacking a bimodal BH mass spectrum fail to reproduce the observed trimodality. The updated models also predict lower BBH merger rates by a factor of a few, in closer agreement with LVK constraints. Intriguingly, the central chirp-mass peak, dominated by unequal-mass BBHs, originates from a previously underappreciated formation pathway in which strong luminous blue variable winds suppress binary interaction before the first BH forms. If isolated binary evolution dominates BBH formation below 30 Msun, the relative heights of the three chirp-mass peaks offer powerful observational constraints on core collapse, BH formation, binary evolution, and cosmic star formation. These universal structural features may also serve as standard sirens for precision cosmology.

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arXiv2025

Converged simulations of the nozzle shock in tidal disruption events

When debris from a star that experienced a tidal disruption events (TDE) after passing too close to a massive black hole returns to pericenter on the second passage, it is compressed, leading to the formation of nozzle shocks (in the orbital plane) and pancake shocks (perpendicular to the orbital plane). Resolving these shocks is a long-standing problem in the hydrodynamic simulations of parabolic TDEs. Excessive numerical energy dissipation or heating unrealistically expands the stream. In this Letter, we apply adaptive particle refinement to our 3D general relativistic smoothed particle simulations to locally increase the resolution near the pericenter. We achieve resolutions equivalent to $6.55\times10^{11}$ particles, allowing us to converge on the true energy dissipation. We conclude that only $4\times10^{-5}$ of the orbital energy is dissipated in nozzle shocks for a Sun-like star tidally disrupted by a $10^6$ solar-mass black hole, therefore the nozzle shocks are unlikely to be important in the evolution of TDEs.

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arXiv2025

What is the most massive gravitational-wave source?

In the presence of significant measurement uncertainties, the events which appear to be the most extreme are very likely to be those exhibiting the greatest statistical fluctuations. It is therefore particularly important to exercise care when interpreting such events and to use the entire observed population for context. Here, I attempt to pedagogically illustrate this using the example of the most massive binary black hole so far detected in gravitational-wave data, GW231123. I argue that its total mass may be significantly lower than $238^{+28}_{-49}$ solar masses as reported by Abac et al. (2025a). The maximum total binary black hole mass from an analysis of the entire detected population is below 170 solar masses if the same priors that are used for individual event analyses in the GWTC catalogs, including for the analysis of GW231123, are applied to the population as a whole. However, this value is very sensitive to assumptions about the population distribution.

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arXiv2025

Natal kicks of compact objects

When compact objects - neutron stars and black holes - are formed in a supernova explosion, they may receive a high velocity at formation, which may reach or even exceed 1000 km s-1 for neutron stars and hundreds of km s-1 for black holes. The origin of the velocity kick is intimately related to supernova physics. A better understanding of kick properties from astronomical observations will shed light on the unsolved problems of these explosions, such as the exact conditions leading to exotic electron capture and ultra-stripped supernovae. Kick velocities are profoundly important in several areas of astrophysics. Being a result of supernova explosions, the kick velocity distribution must be explained in the framework of the supernova mechanism. The kick magnitudes and directions influence many topics related to binary systems, including the rate of compact object coalescences observable through gravitational waves. Moreover, knowledge of the kick velocity distribution is significant in predicting future observational results and their interpretation. For example, it is expected that the Roman space telescope will discover many microlensing events related to neutron stars and black holes; accurate estimates of the number of observable microlensing events require precise kinematic properties of these compact objects.

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arXiv2025

Discovery of a new transitional type of evolved massive stars with hard ionizing flux

Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars are the evolved descendants of the most massive stars and show emission-line dominated spectra formed in their powerful stellar winds. Marking the final evolution stage before core collapse, the standard picture of WR stars has been that they evolve through three well-defined spectral subtypes known as WN, WC, and WO. Here, we present a detailed analysis of five objects that defy this scheme, demonstrating that WR stars can also evolve directly from the WN to the WO stage. Our study reveals that this direct transition is connected to low metallicity and weaker winds. The WN/WO stars and their immediate WN precursors are hot and emit a high flux of photons capable of fully ionizing helium. The existence of these stages unveil that high mass stars which manage to shed off their outer hydrogen layers in a low-metallicity environment can spend a considerable fraction of their lifetime in a stage that is difficult to detect in integrated stellar populations, but at the same time yields hard ionizing flux. The identification of the WN to WO evolution path for massive stars has significant implications for understanding the chemical enrichment and ionizing feedback in star-forming galaxies, in particular at earlier cosmic times.

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arXiv2025

Implications of modern mass-loss rates for massive stars

Massive stars lose a significant fraction of their mass through stellar winds at various stages of their lives, including on the main sequence, during the red supergiant phase, and as helium-rich stripped stars. In stellar population synthesis, uncertainty in the mass-loss rates in these evolutionary stages limits our understanding of the formation of black holes and merging compact binaries. In the last decade, the theoretical predictions, simulation, and direct observation of wind mass-loss rates in massive stars have improved significantly, typically leading to a reduction in the predicted mass-loss rates of massive stars. In this paper we explore the astrophysical implications of an updated treatment of winds in the COMPAS population synthesis code. There is a large amount of variation in predicted mass-loss rates for massive red supergiants; some of the prescriptions we implement predict that massive red supergiants are able to lose their hydrogen envelopes through winds alone (providing a possible solution to the so-called missing red supergiant problem), while others predict much lower mass-loss rates that would not strip the hydrogen envelope. We discuss the formation of the most massive stellar-mass black holes in the Galaxy, including the high-mass X-ray binary Cygnus X-1 and the newly discovered Gaia BH3. We find that formation rates of merging binary black holes are sensitive to the mass-loss rate prescriptions, while the formation rates of merging binary neutron stars and neutron-star black hole binaries are more robust to this uncertainty.

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