Context. Dynamically undisrupted, young populations of stars are crucial in studying the role of multiplicity in relation to star formation. Loose nearby associations provide us with a great sample of close (<150 pc) pre-main sequence (PMS) stars across the very important age range (≈5−70 Myr) to conduct such research. Aims. We characterize the short period multiplicity fraction of the search for associations containing young stars (SACY) sample, accounting for any identifiable bias in our techniques and present the role of multiplicity fractions of the SACY sample in the context of star formation. Methods. Using the cross-correlation technique we identified double-lined and triple-lined spectroscopic systems (SB2/SB3s), in addition to this we computed radial velocity (RV) values for our subsample of SACY targets using several epochs of Fiber-fed Extended Range Optical Spectrograph (FEROS) and Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) data. These values were used to revise the membership of each association that was then combined with archival data to determine significant RV variations across different data epochs characteristic of multiplicity; single-lined multiple systems (SB1). Results. We identified seven new multiple systems (SB1s: 5, SB2s: 2). We find no significant difference between the short period multiplicity fraction (F m ) of the SACY sample and that of close star-forming regions (≈1−2 Myr) and the field (F m ≤ 10%). These are seen both as a function of age and as a function of primary mass, M 1 , in the ranges P [1:200 day] and M 2 [0.08 M -M 1 ], respectively. Conclusions. Our results are consistent with the picture of universal star formation, when compared to the field and close star-forming regions (SFRs). We comment on the implications of the relationship between increasing multiplicity fraction with the primary mass within the close companion range in relation to star formation.

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Context. Young loose nearby associations are unique samples of close (<150 pc), young (≈5-100 Myr) pre-main-sequence (PMS) stars. A significant number of members of these associations have been identified in the SACY (search for associations containing young stars) collaboration. We can use the proximity and youth of these members to investigate key ingredients in star formation processes, such as multiplicity. Aims. With the final goal of better understanding multiplicity properties at different evolutionary stages of PMS stars, we present the statistics of identified multiple systems from 113 confirmed SACY members. We derive multiplicity frequencies, mass-ratio, and physical separation distributions in a consistent parameter space, and compare our results to other PMS populations and the field. Methods. We have obtained adaptive-optics assisted near-infrared observations with the Nasmyth Adaptive Optics System and NearInfrared Imager and Spectrograph (NACO), ESO/VLT, and the Infrared Camera for Adaptive optics at Lick observatory (IRCAL), Lick Observatory, for at least one epoch of all 113 SACY members. We have identified multiple systems using co-moving propermotion analysis for targets with multi-epoch data, and using contamination estimates in terms of mass-ratio and physical separation for targets with single-epoch data. We have explored ranges in projected separation and mass-ratio of a [3-1000 au], and q [0.1-1], respectively. Results. We have identified 31 multiple systems (28 binaries and 3 triples). We derive a multiplicity frequency (MF) of MF 3−1000 au = 28.4 +4.7 −3.9 % and a triple frequency (TF) of TF 3-1000 au = 2.8 +2.5 −0.8 % in the separation range of 3-1000 au. We do not find any evidence for an increase in the MF with primary mass. The estimated mass-ratio of our statistical sample (with power-law index γ = −0.04 ± 0.14) is consistent with a flat distribution (γ = 0). Conclusions. Analysis from previous work using tight binaries indicated that the underlying multiple system distribution of the SACY dataset and the young star-forming region Taurus are statistically similar, supporting the idea that these two populations formed in a similar way. In this work, we show further similarities (but also hints of discrepancies) between the two populations: flat mass-ratio distributions and statistically similar MF and TF values. We also compared the SACY sample to the field (in the separation range of 19-100 au), finding that the two distributions are indistinguishable, suggesting a similar formation mechanism.