Wide Binaries from Few-Body Interactions

The orbital properties of wide binaries are modified by stellar encounters during their lifetimes as field stars. The few body process is particularly efficient right after the star formation in star clusters. In this article we review the orbital parameters which we expect from the few-body process. First, the solutions of the General Three-Body Problem are described, and then a detailed discussion of the theory relevant to binaries follows. Among other things, Öpik's law of the distribution of semi- major axes of the binaries is derived. In addition, we summarize recent results from the few-body problem of extended bodies which may be relevant to the early dynamical evolution of protostellar clouds.