Binary-single-star scattering. III - Numerical experiments for equal-mass hard binaries

Abstract

Results of scattering experiments involving hard binaries with binding energies up to a few hundred times larger than the kinetic energy of the incoming field star are reported in the form of total and differential cross sections for a variety of processes. An accurate description of equal mass binary-single star scattering over a complete range of parameters is provided. The heating of star clusters through three-body processes, when stellar collisions can be ignored, as is the case for encounters involving degenerate stars, is illustrated by plotting the average amount of energy exchange between binaries and field stars as a function of binary hardness.