[Mesa-users] A Query Regardgin Roche Lobe Overflow and Rate of Binary Mass Transfer

[Pulkit Ojha]

Dear Mesa-users,

I'm using mesa to evolve LMXB systems with a point mass of 1.35 MSun and a
main sequence donor star of mass 1.5 Msun. I have noticed that the rate of
mass transfer is significantly high even if the Roche Lobe Overflow factor
of the donor star i.e. (r - rl)/rl is of the order of  "- 10^(-4)" or
"-10^(-3)".  I agree that it's very slightly negative but certainly not
positive which implies that r < rl for the star.

Is this happening due to software considering the atmosphere over the
calculated radius of the donor star or is there some physical aspect I need
to consider? It could also be possible because the Roche lobe overflow
factor is not a very strict parameter.

I would be grateful if someone could help me with some insight over this.

Yours Truly
Pulkit

-- 
Pulkit Ojha
5th Year Integrated MSc.,
School of Physical Sciences,
National Institute of Science Education and Research
<https://www.niser.ac.in/>
Bhubaneswar, INDIA
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