Turbulent and wind-driven accretion in dwarf novae threaded by a large-scale magnetic field

Dwarf novae (DNe) are accreting white dwarfs that show eruptions caused by a thermal-viscous instability in the accretion disk. The outburst timescales constrain α, the ratio of the viscous stress to the thermal pressure, which phenomenologically connects to the mechanism of angular momentum transport. The eruptive state has α ≈ 0.1 while the quiescent state has α ≈ 0.03. Turbulent transport that is due to the magneto-rotational instability (MRI) is generally considered to be the source of angular momentum transport in DNe. The presence of a large-scale poloidal field threading the disk is known to enhance MRI-driven transport. Here, we perform 3D local magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) shearing-box simulations including vertical stratification, radiative transfer, and a net constant vertical magnetic flux to investigate how transport changes between the outburst and quiescent states of DNe. We find that a net vertical constant magnetic field, as could be provided by the white dwarf or by its stellar companion, provides a higher α in quiescence than in outburst, in opposition to what is expected. Including resistivity quenches MRI turbulence in quiescence, suppressing transport, unless the magnetic field is high enough, which again leads to α ≈ 0.1. A major difference between simulations with a net poloidal flux and simulations without a net flux is that angular momentum transport in the former is shared between turbulent radial transport and wind-driven vertical transport. We find that wind-driven transport dominates in quiescence even for moderately low magnetic fields ∼1 G. This can have a great impact on observational signatures since wind-driven transport does not heat the disk. Furthermore, wind transport cannot be reduced to an α prescription. We provide fits to the dependence of α with β, the ratio of thermal to magnetic pressure, and Teff, the effective temperature of the disk, as well as a prescription for the wind torque as a function of β that is in agreement with both local and global simulations. We conclude that the evolution of the thermal-viscous instability, and its consequences on the outburst cycles of CVs, needs to be thoroughly revised to take into account that most of the accretion energy may be carried away by a wind instead of being locally dissipated.

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Angular Momentum Transport and Dynamo Effect in Kepler Disks

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0074180900225473 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 200 ◽

pp. 410-414

Author(s):

Günther Rüdiger ◽

Udo Ziegler

Keyword(s):

Angular Momentum ◽

Accretion Disks ◽

Large Scale ◽

Spherical Model ◽

Momentum Transport ◽

Rotational Instability ◽

Jet Formation ◽

Angular Momentum Transport ◽

Dynamo Effect ◽

Background Shear

Properties have been demonstrated of the magneto-rotational instability for two different applications, i.e. for a global spherical model and a box simulation with Keplerian background shear flow. In both nonlinear cases a dynamo operates with a negative (positive) α-effect in the northern (southern) disk hemisphere and in both cases the angular momentum transport is outwards. Keplerian accretion disks should therefore exhibit large-scale magnetic fields with a dipolar geometry of the poloidal components favoring jet formation.

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Magnetic field transport in compact binaries

Astronomy and Astrophysics ◽

10.1051/0004-6361/202037903 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 641 ◽

pp. A133

Author(s):

N. Scepi ◽

G. Lesur ◽

G. Dubus ◽

J. Jacquemin-Ide

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Field ◽

Angular Momentum ◽

Magnetic Flux ◽

Large Scale ◽

Compact Object ◽

Light Curves ◽

Momentum Transport ◽

Local Magnetization ◽

Angular Momentum Transport ◽

The Impact

Context. Dwarf novæ (DNe) and low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) show eruptions that are thought to be due to a thermal-viscous instability in their accretion disk. These eruptions provide constraints on angular momentum transport mechanisms. Aims. We explore the idea that angular momentum transport could be controlled by the dynamical evolution of the large-scale magnetic field. We study the impact of different prescriptions for the magnetic field evolution on the dynamics of the disk. This is a first step in confronting the theory of magnetic field transport with observations. Methods. We developed a version of the disk instability model that evolves the density, the temperature, and the large-scale vertical magnetic flux simultaneously. We took into account the accretion driven by turbulence or by a magnetized outflow with prescriptions taken, respectively, from shearing box simulations or self-similar solutions of magnetized outflows. To evolve the magnetic flux, we used a toy model with physically motivated prescriptions that depend mainly on the local magnetization β, where β is the ratio of thermal pressure to magnetic pressure. Results. We find that allowing magnetic flux to be advected inwards provides the best agreement with DNe light curves. This leads to a hybrid configuration with an inner magnetized disk, driven by angular momentum losses to an MHD outflow, sharply transiting to an outer weakly-magnetized turbulent disk where the eruptions are triggered. The dynamical impact is equivalent to truncating a viscous disk so that it does not extend down to the compact object, with the truncation radius dependent on the magnetic flux and evolving as Ṁ−2/3. Conclusions. Models of DNe and LMXB light curves typically require the outer, viscous disk to be truncated in order to match the observations. There is no generic explanation for this truncation. We propose that it is a natural outcome of the presence of large-scale magnetic fields in both DNe and LMXBs, with the magnetic flux accumulating towards the center to produce a magnetized disk with a fast accretion timescale.

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Impact of convection and resistivity on angular momentum transport in dwarf novae

Astronomy and Astrophysics ◽

10.1051/0004-6361/201731900 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 609 ◽

pp. A77 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

N. Scepi ◽

G. Lesur ◽

G. Dubus ◽

M. Flock

Keyword(s):

Angular Momentum ◽

Accretion Disk ◽

White Dwarf ◽

Momentum Transport ◽

Simple Relationship ◽

Dwarf Novae ◽

Angular Momentum Transport ◽

Viscous Instability ◽

S Curve ◽

The Impact

The eruptive cycles of dwarf novae are thought to be due to a thermal-viscous instability in the accretion disk surrounding the white dwarf. This model has long been known to imply enhanced angular momentum transport in the accretion disk during outburst. This is measured by the stress to pressure ratio α, with α ≈ 0.1 required in outburst compared to α ≈ 0.01 in quiescence. Such an enhancement in α has recently been observed in simulations of turbulent transport driven by the magneto-rotational instability (MRI) when convection is present, without requiring a net magnetic flux. We independently recover this result by carrying out PLUTO magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of vertically stratified, radiative, shearing boxes with the thermodynamics and opacities appropriate to dwarf novae. The results are robust against the choice of vertical boundary conditions. The thermal equilibrium solutions found by the simulations trace the well-known S-curve in the density-temperature plane that constitutes the core of the disk thermal-viscous instability model. We confirm that the high values of α ≈ 0.1 occur near the tip of the hot branch of the S-curve, where convection is active. However, we also present thermally stable simulations at lower temperatures that have standard values of α ≈ 0.03 despite the presence of vigorous convection. We find no simple relationship between α and the strength of the convection, as measured by the ratio of convective to radiative flux. The cold branch is only very weakly ionized so, in the second part of this work, we studied the impact of non-ideal MHD effects on transport. Ohmic dissipation is the dominant effect in the conditions of quiescent dwarf novae. We include resistivity in the simulations and find that the MRI-driven transport is quenched (α ≈ 0) below the critical density at which the magnetic Reynolds number Rm ≤ 104. This is problematic because the X-ray emission observed in quiescent systems requires ongoing accretion onto the white dwarf. We verify that these X-rays cannot self-sustain MRI-driven turbulence by photo-ionizing the disk and discuss possible solutions to the issue of accretion in quiescence.

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Magnetic wind-driven accretion in dwarf novae

Astronomy and Astrophysics ◽

10.1051/0004-6361/201834781 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 626 ◽

pp. A116 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Nicolas Scepi ◽

Guillaume Dubus ◽

Geoffroy Lesur

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Field ◽

Angular Momentum ◽

Turbulent Transport ◽

Momentum Equation ◽

Light Curves ◽

Rotational Instability ◽

Dwarf Novae ◽

X Ray ◽

The Impact ◽

X Ray Binaries

Context. Dwarf novae (DNe) and X-ray binaries exhibit outbursts thought to be due to a thermal-viscous instability in the accretion disk. The disk instability model (DIM) assumes that accretion is driven by turbulent transport, customarily attributed to the magneto-rotational instability (MRI). However, recent results point out that MRI turbulence alone fails to reproduce the light curves of DNe. Aims. Our aim is to study the impact of wind-driven accretion on the light curves of DNe. Local and global simulations show that magneto-hydrodynamic winds are present when a magnetic field threads the disk, even for relatively high ratios of thermal pressure to magnetic pressure (β ≈ 105). These winds are very efficient in removing angular momentum but do not heat the disk, thus they do not behave as MRI-driven turbulence. Methods. We add the effect of wind-driven magnetic braking in the angular momentum equation of the DIM but neglect the mass loss due to the wind. We assume a fixed magnetic configuration: dipolar or constant with radius. We use prescriptions for the wind torque and the turbulent torque derived from shearing box simulations. Results. The wind torque enhances the accretion of matter, resulting in light curves that look like DNe outbursts when assuming a dipolar field with a moment μ ≈ 1030 G cm3. In the region where the wind torque dominates the disk is cold and optically thin, and the accretion speed is super-sonic. The inner disk behaves as if truncated, leading to higher quiescent X-ray luminosities from the white dwarf boundary layer than expected with the standard DIM. The disk is stabilized if the wind-dominated region is large enough, potentially leading to “dark” disks that emitting little radiation. Conclusion. Wind-driven accretion can play a key role in shaping the light curves of DNe and X-ray binaries. Future studies will need to include the time evolution of the magnetic field threading the disk to fully assess its impact on the dynamics of the accretion flow.

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Simulation of Mass Transport in Disk Galaxies

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s007418090023324x ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 171 ◽

pp. 405-405 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S. von Linden ◽

J. Heidt ◽

H.P. Reuter ◽

R. Wielebinski

Keyword(s):

Angular Momentum ◽

Mass Transport ◽

Large Scale ◽

Momentum Transport ◽

Disk Galaxies ◽

Angular Momentum Transport ◽

Gravitational Instabilities ◽

Gas Component

The large-scale dynamics and evolution of disk galaxies is controlled by the angular-momentum transport provided by non-axisymmetric perturbances through their gravity torques. To continuously maintain such gravitational instabilities, the presence of the gas component and its dissipative character are essential.

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Galactic Dynamics and Magnetic Field Amplification

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0074180900174492 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 157 ◽

pp. 395-401 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Harald Lesch

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Field ◽

Angular Momentum ◽

Magnetic Fields ◽

Time Scale ◽

Numerical Models ◽

Momentum Transport ◽

Angular Momentum Transport ◽

Field Amplification ◽

Gravitational Instabilities ◽

Magnetic Diffusivity

Stimulated by recent high frequency radio polarization measurements of M83 and M51, we consider the influence of non-axisymmetric features (bars, spiral arms, etc…) on galactic magnetic fields. The time scale for the field amplification due to the non-axisymmetric velocity field is related to the time scale of angular momentum transport in the disk by the non-axisymmetric features. Due to its dissipational character (cooling and angular momentum transport) the gas plays a major role for the excitation of non-axisymmetric instabilities. Since it is the gaseous component of the interstellar gas in which magnetic field amplification takes place we consider the interplay of gasdynamical processes triggered by gravitational instabilities and magnetic fields. A comparison with the time scale for dynamo action in a disk from numerical models for disk dynamos gives the result that field amplification by non-axisymmetric features is faster in galaxies like M83 (strong bar) and M51 (compagnion and very distinct spiral structure), than amplification by an axisymmetric dynamo. Furthermore, we propose that axisymmetric gravitational instabilities may provide the turbulent magnetic diffusivity ηT. Based on standard galaxy models we obtain a radially dependent diffusivity whose numerical value rises from 1025cm2s−1 to 1027cm2s−1, declining for large radii.

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Close binary evolution

Astronomy and Astrophysics ◽

10.1051/0004-6361/201731073 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 609 ◽

pp. A3 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

H. F. Song ◽

G. Meynet ◽

A. Maeder ◽

S. Ekström ◽

P. Eggenberger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Field ◽

Angular Momentum ◽

Binary System ◽

Magnetic Fields ◽

Close Binary System ◽

Momentum Transport ◽

Close Binary ◽

Surface Magnetic Field ◽

Angular Momentum Transport ◽

Magnetic Braking

Context. Massive stars with solar metallicity lose important amounts of rotational angular momentum through their winds. When a magnetic field is present at the surface of a star, efficient angular momentum losses can still be achieved even when the mass-loss rate is very modest, at lower metallicities, or for lower-initial-mass stars. In a close binary system, the effect of wind magnetic braking also interacts with the influence of tides, resulting in a complex evolution of rotation. Aims. We study the interactions between the process of wind magnetic braking and tides in close binary systems. Methods. We discuss the evolution of a 10 M⊙ star in a close binary system with a 7 M⊙ companion using the Geneva stellar evolution code. The initial orbital period is 1.2 days. The 10 M⊙ star has a surface magnetic field of 1 kG. Various initial rotations are considered. We use two different approaches for the internal angular momentum transport. In one of them, angular momentum is transported by shear and meridional currents. In the other, a strong internal magnetic field imposes nearly perfect solid-body rotation. The evolution of the primary is computed until the first mass-transfer episode occurs. The cases of different values for the magnetic fields and for various orbital periods and mass ratios are briefly discussed. Results. We show that, independently of the initial rotation rate of the primary and the efficiency of the internal angular momentum transport, the surface rotation of the primary will converge, in a time that is short with respect to the main-sequence lifetime, towards a slowly evolving velocity that is different from the synchronization velocity. This “equilibrium angular velocity” is always inferior to the angular orbital velocity. In a given close binary system at this equilibrium stage, the difference between the spin and the orbital angular velocities becomes larger when the mass losses and/or the surface magnetic field increase. The treatment of the internal angular momentum transport has a strong impact on the evolutionary tracks in the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram as well as on the changes of the surface abundances resulting from rotational mixing. Our modelling suggests that the presence of an undetected close companion might explain rapidly rotating stars with strong surface magnetic fields, having ages well above the magnetic braking timescale. Our models predict that the rotation of most stars of this type increases as a function of time, except for a first initial phase in spin-down systems. The measure of their surface abundances, together, when possible, with their mass-luminosity ratio, provide interesting constraints on the transport efficiencies of angular momentum and chemical species. Conclusions. Close binaries, when studied at phases predating any mass transfer, are key objects to probe the physics of rotation and magnetic fields in stars.

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Magnetic and rotational quenching of the Λ effect

Astronomy and Astrophysics ◽

10.1051/0004-6361/201732519 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 622 ◽

pp. A195 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

P. J. Käpylä

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Field ◽

Angular Momentum ◽

Magnetic Fields ◽

Differential Rotation ◽

Large Scale ◽

Turbulent Transport ◽

Vertical Direction ◽

Slow Rotation ◽

Rapid Rotation ◽

Maxwell Stresses

Context. Differential rotation in stars is driven by the turbulent transport of angular momentum.Aims. Our aim is to measure and parameterize the non-diffusive contribution to the total (Reynolds plus Maxwell) turbulent stress, known as the Λ effect, and its quenching as a function of rotation and magnetic field.Methods. Simulations of homogeneous, anisotropically forced turbulence in fully periodic cubes are used to extract their associated turbulent Reynolds and Maxwell stresses. The forcing is set up such that the vertical velocity component dominates over the horizontal ones, as in turbulent stellar convection. This choice of the forcing defines the vertical direction. Additional preferred directions are introduced by the imposed rotation and magnetic field vectors. The angle between the rotation vector and the vertical direction is varied such that the latitude range from the north pole to the equator is covered. Magnetic fields are introduced by imposing a uniform large-scale field on the system. Turbulent transport coefficients pertaining to the Λ effect are obtained by fitting. The results are compared with analytic studies.Results. The numerical and analytic results agree qualitatively at slow rotation and low Reynolds numbers. This means that vertical (horizontal) transport is downward (equatorward). At rapid rotation the latitude dependence of the stress is more complex than predicted by theory. The existence of a significant meridional Λ effect is confirmed. Large-scale vorticity generation is found at rapid rotation when the Reynolds number exceeds a threshold value. The Λ effect is severely quenched by large-scale magnetic fields due to the tendency of the Reynolds and Maxwell stresses to cancel each other. Rotational (magnetic) quenching of Λ occurs at more rapid rotation (at lower field strength) in the simulations than in the analytic studies.Conclusions. The current results largely confirm the earlier theoretical results, and also offer new insights: the non-negligible meridional Λ effect possibly plays a role in the maintenance of meridional circulation in stars, and the appearance of large-scale vortices raises the question of their effect on the angular momentum transport in rapidly rotating stellar convective envelopes. The results regarding magnetic quenching are consistent with the strong decrease in differential rotation in recent semi-global simulations and highlight the importance of including magnetic effects in differential rotation models.

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