Accretion activity of young binary systems with low-mass secondary components

The accretion activity of young binaries with low-mass (q = M ₂/M ₁ ≤ 0.1) secondary components is studied. The source of accreted matter is a common disk surrounding the binary system and coplanar with its orbit. Gas dynamic models of these systems are used to calculate the rates of accretion to the components and their dependence on the phase of the orbital period is studied. It is shown that, despite its low mass, the secondary accretes matter at a relatively higher rate than the primary. This result can be regarded as an extension of the work of Artymowicz and Lubow for young binaries with components that have unequal masses. Possible astrophysical applications of the theory are discussed.