Very Low Mass Stars Research Articles

A giant planet shaping the disk around the very low-mass star CIDA 1

Context. Exoplanetary research has provided us with exciting discoveries of planets around very low-mass (VLM) stars (0.08 M⊙ ≲ M* ≲ 0.3 M⊙; e.g., TRAPPIST-1 and Proxima Centauri). However, current theoretical models still strive to explain planet formation in these conditions and do not predict the development of giant planets. Recent high-resolution observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) of the disk around CIDA 1, a VLM star in Taurus, show substructures that hint at the presence of a massive planet. Aims. We aim to reproduce the dust ring of CIDA 1, observed in the dust continuum emission in ALMA Band 7 (0.9 mm) and Band 4 (2.1 mm), along with its 12CO (J = 3−2) and 13CO (J = 3−2) channel maps, assuming the structures are shaped by the interaction of the disk with a massive planet. We seek to retrieve the mass and position of the putative planet, through a global simulation that assesses planet-disk interactions to quantitatively reproduce protoplanetary disk observations of both dust and gas emission in a self-consistent way. Methods. Using a set of hydrodynamical simulations, we model a protoplanetary disk that hosts an embedded planet with a starting mass of between 0.1 and 4.0 MJup and initially located at a distance of between 9 and 11 au from the central star. We compute the dust and gas emission using radiative transfer simulations, and, finally, we obtain the synthetic observations, treating the images as the actual ALMA observations. Results. Our models indicate that a planet with a minimum mass of ~1.4 MJup orbiting at a distance of ~9−10 au can explain the morphology and location of the observed dust ring in Band 7 and Band 4. We match the flux of the dust emission observation with a dust-to-gas mass ratio in the disk of ~10−2. We are able to reproduce the low spectral index (~2) observed where the dust ring is detected, with a ~40−50% fraction of optically thick emission. Assuming a 12CO abundance of 5 × 10−5 and a 13CO abundance 70 times lower, our synthetic images reproduce the morphology of the 12CO (J = 3−2) and 13CO (J = 3−2) observed channel maps where the cloud absorption allowed a detection. From our simulations, we estimate that a stellar mass M* = 0.2 M⊙ and a systemic velocity vsys = 6.25 km s−1 are needed to reproduce the gas rotation as retrieved from molecular line observations. Applying an empirical relation between planet mass and gap width in the dust, we predict a maximum planet mass of ~4−8 MJup. Conclusions. Our results suggest the presence of a massive planet orbiting CIDA 1, thus challenging our understanding of planet formation around VLM stars.

Survey of Multiple Populations in Globular Clusters among Very-low-mass Stars

Abstract Recent work has shown that near-infrared (NIR) Hubble Space Telescope (HST) photometry allows us to disentangle multiple populations (MPs) among M dwarfs of globular clusters (GCs) and to investigate this phenomenon in very-low-mass (VLM) stars. Here, we present the color–magnitude diagrams of nine GCs and the open cluster NGC 6791 in the F110W and F160W bands of HST, showing that the main sequences (MSs) below the knee are either broadened or split, thus providing evidence of MPs among VLM stars. In contrast, the MS of NGC 6791 is consistent with a single population. The color distribution of M dwarfs dramatically changes between different GCs, and the color width correlates with the cluster mass. We conclude that the MP ubiquity, variety, and dependence on GC mass are properties common to VLM and more-massive stars. We combined UV, optical, and NIR observations of NGC 2808 and NGC 6121 (M4) to identify MPs along with a wide range of stellar masses (∼0.2–0.8  ⊙ ), from the MS turnoff to the VLM regime, and measured, for the first time, their mass functions (MFs). We find that the fraction of MPs does not depend on the stellar mass and that their MFs have similar slopes. These findings indicate that the properties of MPs do not depend on stellar mass. In a scenario where the second generations formed in higher-density environments than the first generations, the possibility that the MPs formed with the same initial MF would suggest that it does not depend on the environment.

About the modelling of the SED for the inner boundary of protoplanetary discs at the lower stellar mass regime

ABSTRACT In order to improve the physical interpretation about innermost dusty regions in protoplanetary discs around brown dwarf (BD), and even very low mass star (VLMS), we present a grid of models taking into account two different sets: (i) The set called standard model, that simulates an axisymmetric dusty disc with an inner curved wall. (ii) The perturbed one called non-standard where the axisymmetry of the inner edge has been broken. We have achieved a fitting for the disc structure able to explain the spectral energy distribution (SED). As the main condition, we assume that the changes of the inner wall geometry in the tongue-like shape depend on the Rayleigh–Taylor instability (R-TIns) generated in the inner disc edge. For each object, we parametrize the shape of the inner wall to find a time-dependent model that enables us to explain the photometric near-Infrared variability and connect the changes on the inner disc structure with the amplitude of such variability. We re-analysed photometric measurements from near to mid-infrared wavelengths of a sample of 6 BDs and one VLMS in different cloud associations which were previously studied by other authors. We also show that the flux change calculated between the non-standard and the standard configurations models the observed variability in LRLL 1679. The magnitude changes due to these fluctuations slightly depend on the wavelength and they can present differences of up to 0.9 mag. We suggest that if the R-TIns persist enough time, the features in the protoplanetary inner disc, e.g. inner holes or gaps evolve.

Size and structures of disks around very low mass stars in the Taurus star-forming region

Context. The discovery of giant planets orbiting very low mass stars (VLMS) and the recent observed substructures in disks around VLMS is challenging planet formation models. Specifically, radial drift of dust particles is a catastrophic barrier in these disks, which prevents the formation of planetesimals and therefore planets. Aims. We aim to estimate if structures, such as cavities, rings, and gaps, are common in disks around VLMS and to test models of structure formation in these disks. We also aim to compare the radial extent of the gas and dust emission in disks around VLMS, which can give us insight about radial drift. Methods. We studied six disks around VLMS in the Taurus star-forming region using ALMA Band 7 (~340 GHz) at a resolution of ~0.1″. The targets were selected because of their high disk dust content in their stellar mass regime. Results. Our observations resolve the disk dust continuum in all disks. In addition, we detect the 12CO (J = 3−2) emission line in all targets and 13CO (J = 3−2) in five of the six sources. The angular resolution allows the detection of dust substructures in three out of the six disks, which we studied by using UV-modeling. Central cavities are observed in the disks around stars MHO 6 (M 5.0) and CIDA 1 (M 4.5), while we have a tentative detection of a multi-ringed disk around J0433. We estimate that a planet mass of ~0.1 MJup or ~0.4 MSaturn is required for a single planet to create the first gap in J0433. For the cavities of MHO 6 and CIDA 1, a Saturn-mass planet (~0.3 MJup) is required. The other three disks with no observed structures are the most compact and faintest in our sample, with the radius enclosing 90% of the continuum emission varying between ~13 and 21 au. The emission of 12CO and 13CO is more extended than the dust continuum emission in all disks of our sample. When using the 12CO emission to determine the gas disk extension Rgas, the ratio of Rgas∕Rdust in our sample varies from 2.3 to 6.0. One of the disks in our sample, CIDA 7, has the largest Rgas∕Rdust ratio observed so far, which is consistent with models of radial drift being very efficient around VLMS in the absence of substructures. Conclusions. Given our limited angular resolution, substructures were only directly detected in the most extended disks, which represent 50% of our sample, and there are hints of unresolved structured emission in one of the bright smooth sources. Our observations do not exclude giant planet formation on the substructures observed. A comparison of the size and luminosity of VLMS disks with their counterparts around higher mass stars shows that they follow a similar relation.

Formation of multiple low-mass stars, brown dwarfs, and planemos via gravitational collapse

The origin of very low-mass stars (VLMS) and brown dwarfs (BDs) is still an unresolved topic of star formation. We here present numerical simulations of the formation of VLMS, BDs, and planet mass objects (planemos) resulting from the gravitational collapse and fragmentation of solar mass molecular cores with varying rotation rates and initial density perturbations. Our simulations yield various types of binary systems including the combinations VLMS-VLMS, BD-BD, planemo-planemo, VLMS-BD, VLMS-planemos, BD-planemo. Our scheme successfully addresses the formation of wide VLMS and BD binaries with semi-major axis up to 441 AU and produces a spectrum of mass ratios closer to the observed mass ratio distribution (q > 0.5). Molecular cores with moderate values of the ratio of kinetic to gravitational potential energy (0.16 <= beta <= 0.21) produce planemos. Solar mass cores with rotational parameters beta outside of this range yield either VLMS/BDs or a combination of both. With regard to the mass ratios we find that for both types of binary systems the mass ratio distribution varies in the range 0.31 <= q <= 0.74. We note that in the presence of radiative feedback, the length scale of fragmentation would increase by approximately two orders of magnitude, implying that the formation of binaries may be efficient for wide orbits, while being suppressed for short-orbit systems.

Theoretical uncertainties on the radius of low- and very-low-mass stars

We performed an analysis of the main theoretical uncertainties that affect the radius of low- and very-low mass-stars predicted by current stellar models. We focused on stars in the mass range 0.1-1Msun, on both the zero-age main-sequence (ZAMS) and on 1, 2 and 5 Gyr isochrones. First, we quantified the impact on the radius of the uncertainty of several quantities, namely the equation of state, radiative opacity, atmospheric models, convection efficiency and initial chemical composition. Then, we computed the cumulative radius error stripe obtained by adding the radius variation due to all the analysed quantities. As a general trend, the radius uncertainty increases with the stellar mass. For ZAMS structures the cumulative error stripe of very-low mass stars is about $\pm 2$ and $\pm 3$ percent, while at larger masses it increases up to $\pm 4$ and $\pm 5$ percent. The radius uncertainty gets larger and age dependent if isochrones are considered, reaching for $M\sim 1$Msun about $+12(-15)$ percent at an age of 5 Gyr. We also investigated the radius uncertainty at a fixed luminosity. In this case, the cumulative error stripe is the same for both ZAMS and isochrone models and it ranges from about $\pm 4$ percent to $+7$ and $+9$($-5$) percent. We also showed that the sole uncertainty on the chemical composition plays an important role in determining the radius error stripe, producing a radius variation that ranges between about $\pm 1$ and $\pm 2$ percent on ZAMS models with fixed mass and about $\pm 3$ and $\pm 5$ percent at a fixed luminosity.

The low-mass content of the massive young star cluster RCW 38

RCW 38 is a deeply embedded young (~1 Myr), massive star cluster located at a distance of 1.7 kpc. Twice as dense as the Orion Nebula Cluster, orders of magnitude denser than other nearby star forming regions, and rich in massive stars, RCW 38 is an ideal place to look for potential differences in brown dwarf formation efficiency as a function of environment. We present deep, high resolution adaptive optics data of the central ~0.5x0.5 pc^2 obtained with NACO at the Very Large Telescope. Through comparison with evolutionary models we determine masses and extinction for ~480 candidate members, and derive the first Initial Mass Function (IMF) of the cluster extending into the substellar regime. Representing the IMF as a set of power laws in the form dN/dM~M^(-alpha), we derive the slope alpha = 1.60+-0.13 for the mass range 0.5 - 20 MSun which is shallower than the Salpeter slope, but in agreement with results in several other young massive clusters. At the low-mass side, we find alpha = 0.71+-0.11 for masses between 0.02 and 0.5 MSun, or alpha = 0.81+-0.08 for masses between 0.02 and 1 MSun. Our result is in agreement with the values found in other young star-forming regions, revealing no evidence that a combination of high stellar densities and the presence of numerous massive stars affect the formation efficiency of brown dwarfs and very-low mass stars. We estimate that the Milky Way galaxy contains between 25 and 100 billion brown dwarfs (with masses > 0.03 MSun).

Investigating the rotational evolution of very low-mass stars and brown dwarfs in young clusters using Monte Carlo simulations

Context. Very low-mass (VLM) stars and brown dwarfs (BDs) present a different rotational behaviour from their solar mass counterparts. Aims. We investigate the rotational evolution of young VLM stars and BDs using Monte Carlo simulations under the hypothesis of disk locking and stellar angular momentum conservation. Methods. We built a set of objects with masses ranging from 0.01 M⊙ to 0.4 M⊙ and considered models with single- and double-peaked initial period distributions with and without disk locking. An object is considered to be diskless when its mass accretion rate is below a given threshold. Results. Models with initial single-peaked period distributions reproduce the observations well given that BDs rotate faster than VLM stars. We observe a correlation between rotational period and mass when we relax the disk locking hypothesis, but with a shallower slope compared to some observational results. The angular momentum evolution of diskless stars is flatter than it is for stars with a disk which occurs because the moment of inertia of objects less massive than 0.2 M⊙ remains pratically constant for a time scale that increases with decreasing stellar mass. Conclusions. Comparing our results with the available observational data we see that disk locking is not as important in the low-mass regime and that the rotational behaviour of VLM stars and BDs is different from what is seen in their solar mass counterparts.

Detection of a very low mass star in an eclipsing binary system

We report the detection of a very low mass star (VLMS) companion to the primary star 1SWASPJ234318.41+295556.5A (J2343+29A), using radial velocity (RV) measurements from the PARAS (PRL Advanced Radial-velocity Abu-sky Search) high resolution echelle spectrograph. The periodicity of the single-lined eclipsing binary (SB1) system, as determined from 20 sets of RV observations from PARAS and 6 supporting sets of observations from SOPHIE data, is found to be 16.953 d as against the 4.24 d period reported from SuperWasp photometry. It is likely that inadequate phase coverage of the transit with SuperWasp photometry led to the incorrect determination of the period for this system. We derive the spectral properties of the primary star from the observed stellar spectra: Teff = 5125 +/- 67 K, [Fe/H] = 0.1 +/- 0.14 and log g = 4.6 +/- 0.14, indicating a K1V primary. Applying the Torres relation to the derived stellar parameters, we estimate a primary mass 0.864 +/- 0.097 M_sun and a radius of 0.854 +/- 0.050 R_sun. We combine RV data with SuperWASP photometry to estimate the mass of the secondary, M_B = 0.098 +/- 0.007 M_sun, and its radius, R_B = 0.127 +/- 0.007 R_sun, with an accuracy of around 7%. Although the observed radius is found to be consistent with the Baraffe's theoretical models, the uncertainties on the mass and radius of the secondary reported here are model dependent and should be used with discretion. Here, we establish this system as a potential benchmark for the study of VLMS objects, worthy of both photometric follow-up and the investment of time on high-resolution spectrographs paired with large-aperture telescopes.

Improving PARSEC models for very low mass stars

Many stellar models present difficulties in reproducing basic observational relations of very low mass stars (VLMS), including the mass--radius relation and the optical colour--magnitudes of cool dwarfs. Here, we improve PARSEC models on these points. We implement the T--tau relations from PHOENIX BT-Settl model atmospheres as the outer boundary conditions in the PARSEC code, finding that this change alone reduces the discrepancy in the mass--radius relation from 8 to 5 per cent. We compare the models with multi--band photometry of clusters Praesepe and M67, showing that the use of T--tau relations clearly improves the description of the optical colours and magnitudes. But anyway, using both Kurucz and PHOENIX model spectra, model colours are still systematically fainter and bluer than the observations. We then apply a shift to the above T--tau relations, increasing from 0 at T_eff = 4730 K to ~14% at T_eff = 3160 K, to reproduce the observed mass--radius radius relation of dwarf stars. Taking this experiment as a calibration of the T--tau relations, we can reproduce the optical and near infrared CMDs of low mass stars in the old metal--poor globular clusters NGC6397 and 47Tuc, and in the intermediate--age and young solar--metallicity open clusters M67 and Praesepe. Thus, we extend PARSEC models using this calibration, providing VLMS models more suitable for the lower main sequence stars over a wide range of metallicities and wavelengths. Both sets of models are available on PARSEC webpage.

PROTOPLANETARY DISK MASSES FROM STARS TO BROWN DWARFS

We present SCUBA-2 850um observations for 7 very low mass stars (VLMS) and brown dwarfs (BDs): 3 in Taurus, 4 in the TWA, and all classical T Tauri (cTT) analogs. We detect 2 of the 3 Taurus disks, but none of the TWA ones. Our 3sigma limits correspond to a dust mass of 1.2 MEarth in Taurus and a mere 0.2 MEarth in the TWA (3--10x deeper than previous work). We combine our data with other sub-mm/mm surveys of Taurus, rho Oph and the TWA to investigate trends in disk mass and grain growth during the cTT phase. We find : (1) The minimum disk outer radius required to explain the upper envelope of sub-mm/mm fluxes is 100 AU for intermediate-mass stars, solar-types and VLMS, and 20 AU for BDs. (2) While the upper envelope of disk masses increases with Mstar from BDs to VLMS to solar-types, no increase is seen from solar-type to intermediate-mass stars. We propose this is due to enhanced photoevaporation around intermediate masses. (3) Many disks around Taurus and rho Oph intermediate-mass and solar-type stars evince an opacity index beta of 0--1, indicating large grains. Of the only four VLMS/BDs in these regions with multi-wavelength data, three are consistent with large grains, though optically thick disks are not ruled out. (4) For the TWA VLMS (TWA 30A, B), combining our fluxes with Mdot and ages suggests substantial grain growth by 10 Myr. The degree of grain growth in the TWA BDs (2M1207A, SSPM1102) remains largely unknown. (5) A Bayesian analysis shows that mean(log[Mdisk/Mstar]) = -2.4, roughly constant all the way from intermediate-mass stars to VLMS/BDs, and (6) the disk mass in close solar-type Taurus binaries is significantly lower than in singles (by a factor of 10), while that in wide solar-type Taurus binaries is closer to that in singles (lower by a factor of 3). (7) We discuss the implications for planet formation, and for the dependence of Mdot on Mstar.

Spatially resolved H2emission from a very low-mass star

Molecular outflows from very low-mass stars (VLMSs) and brown dwarfs have been studied very little. So far, only a few CO outflows have been observed, allowing us to map the immediate circumstellar environment. We present the first spatially resolved H2 emission around IRS54 (YLW52), a ~0.1-0.2 Msun Class I source. By means of VLT SINFONI K-band observations, we probed the H2 emission down to the first ~50 AU from the source. The molecular emission shows a complex structure delineating a large outflow cavity and an asymmetric molecular jet. Thanks to the detection of several H2 transitions, we are able to estimate average values along the jet-like structure (from source position to knot D) of Av~28 mag, T~2000-3000 K, and H2 column density N(H2)~1.7x10^17 cm^-2. This allows us to estimate a mass loss rate of ~2x10^-10 Msun/yr for the warm H2 component . In addition, from the total flux of the Br Gamma line, we infer an accretion luminosity and mass accretion rate of 0.64 Lsun and ~3x10^-7 Msun/yr, respectively. The outflow structure is similar to those found in low-mass Class I and CTTS. However, the Lacc/Lbol ratio is very high (~80%), and the mass accretion rate is about one order of magnitude higher when compared to objects of roughly the same mass, pointing to the young nature of the investigated source.

Outflows and disks of brown dwarfs with SMA, CARMA and ALMA

Brown dwarfs are on the dividing line between planets and stars. Up to date, about 1,000 brown dwarfs, including the coolest known brown dwarfs with temperatures of ∼300 K as cool as the human body, have been discovered. However, the origin of these objects is still not well understood. Here we report our study of molecular outflows and disks of young very-low mass stars and brown dwarfs in ρ Ophiuchi and Taurus using the Submillimeter Array (SMA) and the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-wave Astronomy (CARMA). The observations of brown dwarfs at early stages provide key information to understand their formation mechanism as well as planet formation around these very low-mass objects. We also discuss future observations of brown dwarfs with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).

Magnetic Fields from Low-Mass Stars to Brown Dwarfs

Magnetic fields have been detected on stars across the H-R diagram and substellar objects either directly by their effect on the formation of spectral lines, or through the activity phenomena they power which can be observed across a large part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Stars show a very wide variety of magnetic properties in terms of strength, geometry or variability. Cool stars generate their magnetic fields by dynamo effect, and their properties appear to correlate – to some extent – with stellar parameters such as mass, rotation, and age. With the improvements of instrumentation and data analysis techniques, magnetic fields can now be detected and studied down to the domain of very-low-mass stars and brown dwarfs, triggering new theoretical works aimed, in particular, at modelling dynamo action in these objects. After a brief discussion on the importance of magnetic field in stellar physics, the basics of dynamo theory and magnetic field measurements are presented. The main results stemming from observational and theoretical studies of magnetism are then detailed in two parts: the fully-convective transition, and the very-low mass stars and brown dwarfs domain.

DEEP MIXING IN EVOLVED STARS. I. THE EFFECT OF REACTION RATE REVISIONS FROM C TO Al

We present computations of nucleosynthesis in low-mass red-giant-branch and asymptotic-giant-branch stars of Population I experiencing extended mixing. We adopt the updated version of the FRANEC evolutionary model, a new post-process code for non-convective mixing and the most recent revisions for solar abundances. In this framework, we discuss the effects of recent improvements in relevant reaction rates for proton captures on intermediate-mass nuclei (from carbon to aluminum). For each nucleus we briefly discuss the new choices and their motivations. The calculations are then performed on the basis of a parameterized circulation, where the effects of the new nuclear inputs are best compared to previous works. We find that the new rates (and notably the one for the 14N(p,g)15O reaction) imply considerable modifications in the composition of post-main sequence stars. In particular, the slight temperature changes due to the reduced efficiency of proton captures on 14N induce abundance variations at the first dredge up (especially for 17O, whose equilibrium ratio to 16O is very sensitive to the temperature). In this new scenario presolar oxide grains of AGB origin turn out to be produced almost exclusively by very-low mass stars (M<=1.5-1.7Msun), never becoming C-rich. The whole population of grains with 18O/16O below 0.0015 (the limit permitted by first dredge up) is now explained. Also, there is now no forbidden area for very low values of 17O/16O (below 0.0005), contrary to previous findings. A rather shallow type of transport seems to be sufficient for the CNO changes in RGB stages. Both thermohaline diffusion and magnetic-buoyancy-induced mixing might provide a suitable physical mechanism for this. Thermohaline mixing is in any case certainly inadequate to account for the production of 26Al on the AGB. Other transport mechanisms must therefore be at play.

Rotational studies in the Orion Nebula Cluster: from solar mass stars to brown dwarfs

Rotational studies at a variety of ages and masses are important for constraining the angular momentum evolution of young stellar objects (YSO). Of particular interest are the very low mass (VLM) stars and brown dwarfs (BDs), because of the significant lack of known rotational periods in that mass range. We provide for the first time information on rotational periods for a large sample of young VLM stars and BDs. This extensive rotational period study in the 1 Myr old Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC) is based on a deep photometric monitoring campaign using the Wide Field Imager (WFI) camera on the ESO/MPG 2.2m telescope on La Silla, Chile. Accurate I-band photometry of 2908 stars was obtained, extending three magnitudes deeper than previous studies in the ONC. We found 487 periodic variables with estimated masses between 0.5 Msun and 0.015 Msun, 124 of which are BD candidates. This is by far the most extensive and complete rotational period data set for young VLM stars and BDs. In addition, 808 objects show non-periodic brightness variations. We study the dependence of the period distribution on mass and variability level and compare this with known higher mass objects in the ONC (Herbst et al. 2002) and with the 2 Myr old cluster NGC 2264 (Lamm et al., 2004). We find that substellar objects rotate on average faster than the VLM stars. Our rotational data also suggest a dependence of the rotational periods on position within the field, which can be explained by a possible age spread in the ONC. In addition, periodic variables with larger peak-to-peak amplitudes rotate on average slower than those with small peak-to-peak amplitude variations, which can possibly be explained by different magnetic field topologies.

TheSpitzerc2d Survey of Large, Nearby, Interstellar Clouds. XI. Lupus Observed with IRAC and MIPS

We present c2d Spitzer/IRAC observations of the Lupus I, III and IV dark clouds and discuss them in combination with optical and near-infrared and c2d MIPS data. With the Spitzer data, the new sample contains 159 stars, 4 times larger than the previous one. It is dominated by low- and very-low mass stars and it is complete down to M ≈ 0.1M⊙. We find 30-40% binaries with separations between 100 to 2000 AU with no apparent effect in the disk properties of the members. A large majority of the objects are Class II or Class III objects, with only 20 (12%) of Class I or Flat spectrum sources. The disk sample is complete down to “debris”-like systems in stars as small as M ≈ 0.2 M⊙ and includes sub-stellar objects with larger IR excesses. The disk fraction in Lupus is 70 – 80%, consistent with an age of 1 – 2 Myr. However, the young population contains 20% optically thick accretion disks and 40% relatively less flared disks. A growing variety of inner disk structures is found for larger inner disk clearings for

A survey for low-mass spectroscopic binary stars in the young clusters around σ Orionis and λ Orionis

We have obtained multi-epoch, high-resolution spectroscopy of 218 candidate low-mass stars and brown dwarfs (BDs) in the young clusters around a Ori and Ori. We find that 196 targets are cluster members based on their radial velocity, the equivalent width of their Na Ι 8200 lines and the spectral type from their TiO band strength. We have identified 11 new binary stars among the cluster members based on their variable radial velocity and an additional binary from the variation in its linewidth and shape. Of these, six are double-lined spectroscopic binaries (SB2) where the components of the binary are of comparable brightness. The others are single-lined binaries (SB 1) in which the companion is faint or the spectra of the stars are blended. There are three narrow-lined SB 1 binaries in our sample for which the companion is more than 2.5 mag fainter than the primary. This suggests that the mass ratio distribution for the spectroscopic binaries in our sample is broad but that there may be a peak in the distribution near q = 1. The sample covers the magnitude range I C = 14-18.9 (mass ≈0.55-0.03 M ⊙ ), but all of the binary stars are brighter than I C = 16.6 (mass ≈30.12 M ⊙ ) and 10 are brighter than I C = 15.5 (mass ≈0.23 M ⊙ ). There is a significant lack of spectroscopic binaries in our sample at faint magnitudes even when we account for the decrease in sensitivity with increasing magnitude. We can reject the hypothesis that the fraction of spectroscopic binaries is a uniform function of I C magnitude with more than 99 per cent confidence. The spectroscopic binary fraction for stars more massive than about 0.1 M ⊙ (I C < 16.9) is f bright = 0.095 +0.012 -0.028 . The 90 per cent confidence upper limit to the spectroscopic binary fraction for very low-mass (VLM) stars (mass <0.1 M ⊙ ) and BDs is f faint < 7.5 per cent. The hypothesis that f bright and /faint are equal can be rejected with 90 per cent confidence. The average detection probability for our survey is 50 per cent or more for binaries with separations up to 0.28 au for stars with I C < 16.9 and 0.033 au for the fainter stars in our sample. We conclude that we have found strong evidence for a change in the fraction of spectroscopic binaries among young VLM stars and BDs when compared to more massive stars in the same star-forming region. This implies a difference in the total binary fraction between VLM stars and BDs compared to more massive stars or a difference in the distribution of semimajor axes, or both.

Multiplicity among Young Brown Dwarfs and Very Low Mass Stars

Characterizing multiplicity in the very low mass (VLM) domain is a topic of much current interest and fundamental importance. Here we report on a near-IR AO imaging survey of 31 young brown dwarfs and VLM stars, 28 of which are in Chamaeleon I, using the ESO VLT. Our survey is sensitive enough to detect equal mass binaries down to separations of 0.04-0.07" (6-10 AU at 160 pc) and, typically, companions with mass ratios as low as 0.2 outside of 0.2" (~30 AU). We resolve the suspected 0.16" (~26 AU) binary Cha_Halpha 2 and present two new binaries, Hn 13 and CHXR 15, with separations of 0.13" (~20 AU) and 0.30" (~50 AU); the latter is one of the widest VLM systems discovered to date. We do not find companions around the majority of our targets, giving a binary frequency of 11% [+9,-6], thus confirming the trend for a lower binary frequency with decreasing mass. By combining our work with previous surveys, we arrive at the largest sample of young VLMOs (72) with high angular resolution imaging to date. Its multiplicity fraction is in statistical agreement with that for VLMOs in the field. In addition we note that many field stellar binaries with lower binding energies and/or wider cross sections have survived dynamical evolution and that statistical models suggest tidal disruption by passing stars is unlikely to affect the binary properties of our systems. Thus, we argue that there is no significant evolution of multiplicity with age among brown dwarfs and VLM stars in OB and T associations between a few Myr to several Gyr. Instead, the observations to date suggest that VLM objects are either less likely to be born in fragile multiple systems than solar mass stars or such systems are disrupted very early.

A Discontinuity in the Low‐Mass Initial Mass Function

The origin of brown dwarfs (BDs) is still an unsolved mystery. While the standard model describes the formation of BDs and stars in a similar way recent data on the multiplicity properties of stars and BDs show them to have different binary distribution functions. Here we show that proper treatment of these uncovers a discontinuity of the multiplicity-corrected mass distribution in the very-low-mass star (VLMS) and BD mass regime. A continuous IMF can be discarded with extremely high confidence. This suggests that VLMSs and BDs on the one hand, and stars on the other, are two correlated but disjoint populations with different dynamical histories. The analysis presented here suggests that about one BD forms per five stars and that the BD-star binary fraction is about 2%-3% among stellar systems.