The first photometric analysis of two low mass ratio totally eclipsing contact binaries: TIC 393943031 and TIC 89428764

PhotometricanalysisofthecontactbinariesTIC393943031andTIC89428764was carried out usingTESS and SuperWASP data for the first time. Using Wilson-Devinneycode, we have discovered TIC 393943031 is a low-mass-ratio deep contact binary with a fillout factor of 50.9(±1)% and a mass ratio of q = 0.163 ± 0.001. TIC 89428764 is a medium and low-mass-ratio contact binary with a fillout factor of 34.5(±1)% and a mass ratio of q = 0.147±0.001. Furthermore, the period study reveals both the stars exhibit continuously increasing periods, the increasing rate is 4.21×10−7day ·year−1for TIC 393943031while 6.36 × 10−7day · year−1for TIC 89428764. The possible reason is mass transfer from the secondary component to the primary component for both the stars. Meanwhile, we discussed their evolutionary phases and orbital angular momenta.

New photometric studies for two deep, low-mass ratio overcontact binaries: Y Sex and V1363 Ori

We present new photometry for two contact binaries, Y Sex and V1363 Ori, which were observed by three small telescopes in China. By using the W-D method, the absolute parameters are updated from new BVR light curves and previous radial velocity curves. Results identify that two binaries are deep, low-mass ratio (DLMR) overcontact binaries with q ⩽ 0.25 and f ⩾ 50%. From the temperature-luminosity diagram, the primary components are slightly evolved main-sequence stars, whose evolutionary ages are ∼2.51 Gyr for Y Sex and ∼3.56 Gyr for V 1363 Ori, respectively. From the (O − C) curves, it is found that the orbital periods may be undergoing secular increase with cyclic variations, which may be interpreted either by magnetic activity cycles or by the light-time orbit effect. With period increasing, this kind of DLMR overcontact binaries, such as Y Sex and V1363 Ori, will evolve into the rapid-rotating single stars.

Two Contact Binaries with Mass Ratios Close to the Minimum Mass Ratio

The cutoff mass ratio is under debate for contact binaries. In this paper, we present the investigation of two contact binaries with mass ratios close to the low mass ratio limit. It is found that the mass ratios of VSX J082700.8+462850 (hereafter J082700) and 1SWASP J132829.37+555246.1 (hereafter J132829) are both less than 0.1 (q ∼ 0.055 for J082700 and q ∼ 0.089 for J132829). J082700 is a shallow contact binary with a contact degree of ∼19%, and J132829 is a deep contact system with a fill-out factor of ∼70%. The O − C diagram analysis indicated that the two systems manifested long-term period decreases. In addition, J082700 exhibits a cyclic modulation which is more likely resulting from the Applegate mechanism. In order to explore the properties of extremely low mass ratio contact binaries (ELMRCBs), we carried out a statistical analysis on contact binaries with mass ratios of q ≲ 0.1 and discovered that the values of J spin/J orb of three systems are greater than 1/3. Two possible explanations can interpret this phenomenon. One explanation is that some physical processes, unknown to date, are not considered when Hut presented the dynamic stability criterion. The other explanation is that the dimensionless gyration radius (k) should be smaller than the value we used (k 2 = 0.06). We also found that the formation of ELMRCBs possibly has two channels. The study of evolutionary states of ELMRCBs reveals that their evolutionary states are similar with those of normal W UMa contact binaries.

NGTS clusters survey – III. A low-mass eclipsing binary in the Blanco 1 open cluster spanning the fully convective boundary

We present the discovery and characterisation of an eclipsing binary identified by the Next Generation Transit Survey in the ∼115 Myr old Blanco 1 open cluster. NGTS J0002-29 comprises three M dwarfs: a short-period binary and a companion in a wider orbit. This system is the first well-characterised, low-mass eclipsing binary in Blanco 1. With a low mass ratio, a tertiary companion and binary components that straddle the fully convective boundary, it is an important benchmark system, and one of only two well-characterised, low-mass eclipsing binaries at this age. We simultaneously model light curves from NGTS, TESS, SPECULOOS and SAAO, radial velocities from VLT/UVES and Keck/HIRES, and the system’s spectral energy distribution. We find that the binary components travel on circular orbits around their common centre of mass in Porb = 1.09800524 ± 0.00000038 days, and have masses Mpri = 0.3978 ± 0.0033 M⊙ and Msec = 0.2245 ± 0.0018 M⊙, radii Rpri = 0.4037 ± 0.0048 R⊙ and Rsec = 0.2759 ± 0.0055 R⊙, and effective temperatures $T_{\rm pri}=\mbox{$3372\, ^{+44}_{-37}$}$ K and $T_{\rm sec}=\mbox{$3231\, ^{+38}_{-31}$}$ K. We compare these properties to the predictions of seven stellar evolution models, which typically imply an inflated primary. The system joins a list of 19 well-characterised, low-mass, sub-Gyr, stellar-mass eclipsing binaries, which constitute some of the strongest observational tests of stellar evolution theory at low masses and young ages.

Ultra-wide bandgap in active metamaterial from feedback control

To widen the attenuation bandwidth in a mass-in-mass metamaterial chain, active feedback control is employed within the unit cell. The optimal control via Linear Quadratic Regulator is used to ensure the stability of the solution as well as adaptive tuning of the system. The key concept is to obtain a wider bandwidth by reducing the displacement amplitude of the outer mass of each unit of the metamaterial. Transmittance for finite number of units and dispersion diagram for infinitely long metamaterial chain are obtained using the backward-substitution method and Bloch–Floquet’s theorem, respectively. Results evidenced that an ultra-wide uninterrupted attenuation band starting from very low free wave frequency can be obtained. The dispersion diagram primarily depends on the frequency ratio of the resonating unit with the external main unit. The effect of the mass ratio is insignificant while active feedback control is implemented. This unique phenomenon implies that for a very low mass ratio also a wider bandwidth can be achieved. This enables to design a lightweight structure having wider bandwidth in low-frequency regime.