Probing intracluster dynamics and evolution of globular clusters through cataclysmic variable populations

Dynamical interactions in globular clusters (GCs) significantly impact the formation and evolution of binary sources, including cataclysmic variables (CVs). This study investigates the connection between dynamical states of GCs and X-ray luminosity (L-x) distributions of CV populations through both simulations and actual observations. Utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation tool, MOCCA, we categorize the simulated GCs into three different evolutionary stages which are referred to as Classes I/II/III. Significant differences are found in the L-x distributions of the CVs among these three Classes. In observational aspects, we have analysed 179 CV candidates in 18 GCs observed by the Chandra X-ray Observatory. By dividing these GCs into three Families of different dynamical ages, namely Families I/II/III, the L-x distributions of the CV candidates also show significant differences among these three Families. Both simulations and observational results suggest that CVs in more dynamically evolved clusters (Class/Family III) exhibit brighter X-ray emission. This highlights the influence of the dynamical status of a GC on the properties of its hosted compact binaries. Similar to blue stragglers, CV populations can serve as tracers of a GC's dynamical history. Our findings provide insights for understanding the interplay between intracluster dynamics and the evolution of compact binaries in GCs.