Abstract
We derive the period (P), primary mass (m[1]) and mass ratio (q) distributions of the local population of field binaries by studying a volume-limited sample of 371 spectroscopic binaries (SBs) in the solar neighbourhood d ≤ 100 pc and M[v] ≤ 4. The sample was collated using the Batten catalogue, data of R.F. Griffin and the HIPPARCOS catalogue. The SB2s are used to calibrate a Monte-Carlo approach to the q distribution of SB1s, giving a total q distribution confirming a peak at q ≈ 1. Completenesses and parameter-specific biases are also assessed. A substantial number of systems with intermediate to long periods are found which may have significant consequences for the mass-distribution of WDs.
