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BH-BH mergers with & without EM counterpart: A model for stable tertiary mass transfer in hierarchical triple systems
F. Kummer, S. Toonen, A. Dorozsmai, E. Grishin, A. de Koter
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Triple stars are prevalent within the population of observed stars. Their evolution, compared to binaries, is notably more complex, influenced by unique dynamical, tidal, and mass transfer processes. Understanding these phenomena is essential for a comprehensive insight into multistar evolution and the formation of energetic transients, including gravitational-wave mergers. Our study probes the evolution of triple star systems when the tertiary fills its Roche lobe and transfers mass to the inner binary, potentially forming GW sources with distinct properties. We develop an analytical model for hierarchical triples undergoing stable mass transfer from the tertiary. Using population synthesis simulations, we investigate triples with a Roche-lobe filling tertiary and an inner binary black hole. These systems originate from inner binaries undergoing chemically homogeneous evolution. Our analysis includes populations with metallicities of Z=0.005 and Z=0.0005, focusing on primary components with initial masses of 20 to 100 M_sun, and inner and outer orbital separations up to 40 R_sun and 10^5 R_sun, respectively. Our results show that mass transfer predominantly leads to orbital shrinkage of the inner binary, non-zero eccentricities, and expansion of the outer orbit. Among systems with CHE inner binaries, 9.5% result in mass transfer from the tertiary onto an inner BBH. We predict high formation efficiency of GW mergers, ranging from 85.1% to 100% at Z=0.005 and 100% at Z=0.0005, with short delay times. Local merger rates are projected to be between 0.69 to 1.74 Gpc^-3 yr^-1. A fraction of these BBH mergers, entering the LISA and aLIGO frequency bands, may still be accreting gas, potentially producing a strong electromagnetic counterpart. EM signals vary significantly based on model assumptions, ranging from less than 0.03% to 46.8% of all mergers if circumbinary disk formation is allowed.
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