Probing Intracluster Dynamics and Evolution of Globular Clusters through Cataclysmic Variable Populations

Abstract: 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 analyzed 179 CV candidates in 18 GCs observed by the {\it 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.