HERMES spectra of LS V +22 25

We used atmosphere models to constrain the surface properties and abundances. Our disentangling and spectral analysis shows that LB-1 contains two components of comparable brightness in the optical. The narrow-lined primary, which we estimate to contribute 55% in the optical, has spectral properties that suggest that it is a stripped star: it has a small spectroscopic mass (~1M_{sun}_) for a B-type star and it is He- and N-rich.

Unlike previous reports, the abundances of heavy elements are found to be solar. The 'hidden' secondary, which contributes about 45% of the optical flux, is a rapidly rotating (vsini~300km/s) B3 V star with a decretion disk - a Be star. As a result of its rapid rotation and dilution, the photospheric absorption lines of the secondary are not readily apparent in the individual observations.We measure a semi-amplitude for this star of K2=11.2+/-1.0km/s and adopting a mass of M2=72M_{sun}_ typical for B3 V stars, we derive an orbital mass for the stripped primary of M1=1.5+/-0.4 M_{sun}_.

The orbital inclination of 394 implies a near-critical rotation for the Be secondary (v_eq_~470km/s). LB-1 does not contain a compact object. Instead, it is a rare Be binary system consisting of a stripped star (the former mass donor) and a Be star rotating at near its critical velocity (the former mass accretor).

This system is a clear example that binary interactions play a decisive role in the production of rapid stellar rotators and Be stars.