Statistical properties of visual binaries as tracers of the formation of   young stellar clusters
  In this review, we summarize the observed statistical properties of visual binaries in various young stellar clusters. The binary frequency, orbital period distribution and mass ratio distribution are considered for populations of both low-mass and high-mass stars. These properties are then compared to numerical models of the dynamical evolution of stellar clusters and to the predictions of binary formation mechanisms. 
G. Duchene (1), J. Bouvier (1), J. Eisloffel (2) and T. Simon (3) ((1)   Observatoire de Grenoble, (2) Thuringer Landesstern...