The Evolution of Cataclysmic Variable Binary Systems with Circumbinary Disks

2001 ◽  
Vol 561 (1) ◽  
pp. 329-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald E. Taam ◽  
H. C. Spruit
2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (2) ◽  
pp. 1475-1487
Author(s):  
G Subebekova ◽  
S Zharikov ◽  
G Tovmassian ◽  
V Neustroev ◽  
M Wolf ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We obtained photometric observations of the nova-like (NL) cataclysmic variable RW Tri and gathered all available AAVSO and other data from the literature. We determined the system parameters and found their uncertainties using the code developed by us to model the light curves of binary systems. New time-resolved optical spectroscopic observations of RW Tri were also obtained to study the properties of emission features produced by the system. The usual interpretation of the single-peaked emission lines in NL systems is related to the bi-conical wind from the accretion disc’s inner part. However, we found that the Hα emission profile is comprised of two components with different widths. We argue that the narrow component originates from the irradiated surface of the secondary, while the broader component’s source is an extended, low-velocity region in the outskirts of the accretion disc, located opposite to the collision point of the accretion stream and the disc. It appears to be a common feature for long-period NL systems – a point we discuss.


Author(s):  
Ingrid Pelisoli ◽  
R T Marsh ◽  
R P Ashley ◽  
Pasi Hakala ◽  
A Aungwerojwit ◽  
...  

Abstract Accreting magnetic white dwarfs offer an opportunity to understand the interplay between spin-up and spin-down torques in binary systems. Monitoring of the white dwarf spin may reveal whether the white dwarf spin is currently in a state of near-equilibrium, or of uni-directional evolution towards longer or shorter periods, reflecting the recent history of the system and providing constraints for evolutionary models. This makes the monitoring of the spin history of magnetic white dwarfs of high interest. In this paper we report the results of a campaign of follow-up optical photometry to detect and track the 39 sec white dwarf spin pulses recently discovered in Hubble Space Telescope data of the cataclysmic variable V1460 Her. We find the spin pulsations to be present in g-band photometry at a typical amplitude of 0.4 per cent. Under favourable observing conditions, the spin signal is detectable using 2-meter class telescopes. We measured pulse-arrival times for all our observations, which allowed us to derive a precise ephemeris for the white dwarf spin. We have also derived an orbital modulation correction that can be applied to the measurements. With our limited baseline of just over four years, we detect no evidence yet for spin-up or spin-down of the white dwarf, obtaining a lower limit of $|P/\dot{P}| > 4\times 10^{7}$ years, which is already 4 to 8 times longer than the timescales measured in two other cataclysmic variable systems containing rapidly rotating white dwarfs, AE Aqr and AR Sco.


1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-27
Author(s):  
Brian Warner

The evolution of single stars on and away from the main sequence is well understood. A degenerate core is formed in a star as the star leaves the main sequence and expands to a giant with a radius typically 50 - 500 Ro . Observationally it is known that most stars are members of binary systems, and among these many have orbital periods less than 100 y. It can happen, therefore, that the expanding envelope of the primary of a binary system can reach to the secondary. As this happens, the primary fills its Roche tidal lobe and transfers matter to the secondary; if the primary has a radiative envelope the rate at which this occurs exceeds the Eddington limit of the secondary, which therefore repels the incoming gas, forming a common envelope around the two stars. Friction within the envelope causes the stars to spiral towards each other until the energy and angular momentum extracted from the binary orbit and transferred to the envelope are sufficient to eject the common envelope as a planetary nebula, leaving a short period binary comprising a white dwarf and a main sequence star. This mechanism of producing short period binaries containing white dwarfs, proposed by Ostriker and by Paczynski (1976), is the probable origin of the class of objects known as Cataclysmic Variable Stars (CVs), which encompass the classical novae, dwarf novae, novalike variables and a variety of related objects. Evidence has been accumulating for forty years (Crawford & Kraft 1956, Warner 1995a) that every CV consists of a secondary star (usually a dwarf, but a few systems contain giants) filling its Roche lobe and transferring mass to a white dwarf primary. In systems of normal chemical composition the orbital periods lie between 75 mins and ~250 d, with the majority having . A few hydrogen-free systems are known for which 17 mins < Porb < 50 mins. It should be noted that CVs are very compact binary systems: for h such a binary would fit inside the Sun.


1979 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 102-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald F. Webbink

Within the past few years, it has become increasingly apparent that common novae and dwarf novae must owe their origin to binary systems of much larger initial separation than they now have (Paczynski 1976; Ritter 1975, 1976; Webbink 1975). This was demanded by the realization that the white dwarfs in these binaries are generally quite massive (see for instance Warner 1973; Robinson 1976). At the same time, the earlier association of these binaries with W Ursae Majoris-type progenitors could no longer be supported (Webbink 1976b).It was clear even from the first suggestion of the long-period progenitor hypothesis that, although there certainly exist processes which drain mass and angular momentum from a binary efficiently enough to produce a short period cataclysmic variable (CV, for brevity), and to which a long period binary is in all likelihood extremely vulnerable, the details of this transformation present a theoretical problem of formidable difficulty. Nevertheless, some progress on this problem is now being made: a crude model of the early phases of mass exchange is discussed below, and models relevant to later phases have been computed by Meyer and Meyer-Hofmeister (1979; see also Taam et al. 1978).


2007 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 741-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole M. Silvestri ◽  
Mara P. Lemagie ◽  
Suzanne L. Hawley ◽  
Andrew A. West ◽  
Gary D. Schmidt ◽  
...  

1998 ◽  
Vol 185 ◽  
pp. 321-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Warner ◽  
Liza Van Zyl

Non-radial pulsations in isolated white dwarfs have been known for 25 years and it has been shown that the hydrogen-rich (DA) white dwarfs have a high probability of pulsating if they lie in the instability strip with effective temperature between 11500 and 13200 K - the ZZ Ceti stars (e.g. Kepler and Nelan 1993). Analysing techniques developed for such stars allow derivation of masses, luminosities, rotation periods, hydrogen surface layer masses and other properties (e.g. Kepler and Bradley 1995). A number of binary systems are known in which the primary is a white dwarf; dominant in this class are the cataclysmic variable (CV) stars. Until now no CV primary has been found to have non-radial pulsations.


1965 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 120-130
Author(s):  
T. S. Galkina

It is necessary to have quantitative estimates of the intensity of lines (both absorption and emission) to obtain the physical parameters of the atmosphere of components.Some years ago at the Crimean observatory we began the spectroscopic investigation of close binary systems of the early spectral type with components WR, Of, O, B to try and obtain more quantitative information from the study of the spectra of the components.


1979 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 77-88
Author(s):  
Edward L. Robinson

Three distinct kinds of rapid variations have been detected in the light curves of dwarf novae: rapid flickering, short period coherent oscillations, and quasi-periodic oscillations. The rapid flickering is seen in the light curves of most, if not all, dwarf novae, and is especially apparent during minimum light between eruptions. The flickering has a typical time scale of a few minutes or less and a typical amplitude of about .1 mag. The flickering is completely random and unpredictable; the power spectrum of flickering shows only a slow decrease from low to high frequencies. The observations of U Gem by Warner and Nather (1971) showed conclusively that most of the flickering is produced by variations in the luminosity of the bright spot near the outer edge of the accretion disk around the white dwarf in these close binary systems.


Author(s):  
John T. Armstrong

One of the most cited papers in the geological sciences has been that of Albee and Bence on the use of empirical " α -factors" to correct quantitative electron microprobe data. During the past 25 years this method has remained the most commonly used correction for geological samples, despite the facts that few investigators have actually determined empirical α-factors, but instead employ tables of calculated α-factors using one of the conventional "ZAF" correction programs; a number of investigators have shown that the assumption that an α-factor is constant in binary systems where there are large matrix corrections is incorrect (e.g, 2-3); and the procedure’s desirability in terms of program size and computational speed is much less important today because of developments in computing capabilities. The question thus exists whether it is time to honorably retire the Bence-Albee procedure and turn to more modern, robust correction methods. This paper proposes that, although it is perhaps time to retire the original Bence-Albee procedure, it should be replaced by a similar method based on compositiondependent polynomial α-factor expressions.


Author(s):  
Douglas L. Dorset

A variety of linear chain materials exist as polydisperse systems which are difficultly purified. The stability of continuous binary solid solutions assume that the Gibbs free energy of the solution is lower than that of either crystal component, a condition which includes such factors as relative molecular sizes and shapes and perhaps the symmetry of the pure component crystal structures.Although extensive studies of n-alkane miscibility have been carried out via powder X-ray diffraction of bulk samples we have begun to examine binary systems as single crystals, taking advantage of the well-known enhanced scattering cross section of matter for electrons and also the favorable projection of a paraffin crystal structure posited by epitaxial crystallization of such samples on organic substrates such as benzoic acid.


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