Effect of clustered environments on phase-locked quadruple formation

Determine whether clustered stellar environments preferentially produce young quadruple systems with symmetric, phase-locked configurations.

Background

The paper proposes that symmetric configurations in young quadruple systems can arise through hierarchical rotational fragmentation followed by tidal phase locking and accretion-driven shear. Such configurations are expected to be fragile and short-lived, particularly in dense stellar environments. Clustered regions may promote fragmentation by supplying higher angular momentum, but gravitational encounters and dynamical perturbations within dense clumps could instead disrupt the phase alignment. The paper therefore leaves unresolved whether clustered environments enhance or suppress the formation of these systems.