Evolution and mass transfer in X-ray binaries

The character of mass transfer toward the compact companion in X-ray binaries is discussed. The main principles of mass transfer in binary systems, including the relation between mass transfer and orbital evolution and the critical radius and mass-transfer rate during Roche lobe overflow are reviewed. Nonsynchronous rotation and nonconservative evolution are discussed. The application of mass transfer principles to both types of X-ray binaries is examined, including Roche lobe overflow from a main-sequence dwarf, a low-mass degenerate contact star, a nondegenerate helium star, and a red giant.