scholarly journals The hydrogen Balmer lines and jump in absorption in accretion disc modelling – an ultraviolet–optical spectral analysis of the dwarf novae UZ Serpentis and CY Lyrae

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (4) ◽  
pp. 5244-5258
Author(s):  
Patrick Godon ◽  
Edward M Sion ◽  
Paula Szkody ◽  
William P Blair
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Analysis ◽  
Accretion Rate ◽  
Cataclysmic Variables ◽  
Outer Radius ◽  
Accretion Disc ◽  
Absorption Lines ◽  
Dwarf Novae ◽  
Balmer Lines ◽  
Flux Level ◽  
The Continuum

ABSTRACT The spectra of disc-dominated cataclysmic variables (CVs) often deviate from the spectra of accretion disc models; in particular, the Balmer jump and absorption lines are found to be shallower in the observations than in the models. We carried out a combined ultraviolet–optical spectral analysis of two dwarf novae (DNe): UZ Ser in outburst, decline, and quiescence, and CY Lyr on the rise to outburst and in outburst. We fit the Balmer jump and absorption lines, the continuum flux level and slope by adjusting the accretion rate, inclination, and disc outer radius. For both systems, we find an accretion rate $\dot{M} \approx 8 \times 10^{-9}\,\mathrm{ M}_\odot\,\mathrm{ yr}^{-1}$ in outburst, and $\dot{M} \approx 2-3 \times 10^{-9}\,\mathrm{ M}_\odot\,\mathrm{ yr}^{-1}$ for the rise and decline phases. The outer disc radius we derive is smaller than expected (Rdisc ≈ 0.2a, where a is the binary separation), except during late rise (for CY Lyr) where Rdisc = 0.3a. UZ Ser also reveals a 60 000 K white dwarf. These results show that during a DN cycle the radius of the disc is the largest just before the peak of the outburst, in qualitative agreement with the disc instability model for DN outbursts. We suspect that an additional emitting component (e.g. disc wind) is also at work to reduce the slope of the continuum and size of the Balmer jump and absorption lines. We stress that both the outer disc radius and disc wind need to be taken into account for more realistic disc modelling of CVs.

scholarly journals Spectroscopic properties of the dwarf nova-type cataclysmic variables observed by LAMOST

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongtao Han ◽  
Soonthornthum Boonrucksar ◽  
Shengbang Qian ◽  
Fang Xiaohui ◽  
Qishan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emission Line ◽  
Spectral Type ◽  
Orbital Period ◽  
White Dwarf ◽  
Accretion Rate ◽  
Cataclysmic Variables ◽  
Spectroscopic Properties ◽  
Accretion Disc ◽  
Spectral Features ◽  
Dwarf Novae

Abstract Spectra of 76 known dwarf novae from the LAMOST survey were presented. Most of the objects were observed in quiescence, and about 16 systems have typical outburst spectra. 36 of these systems were observed by SDSS, and most of their spectra are similar to the SDSS spectra. Two objects, V367 Peg and V537 Peg, are the first spectra of the object. The spectrum of V367 Peg shows a contribution from an M-type donor and its spectral type could be estimated as M3-5 by combining its orbital period. The signature of a white dwarf spectrum can be seen clearly in four low-accretion-rate WZ Sge stars. Other special spectral features worthy of further observations are also noted and discussed. We present a LAMOST spectral atlas of outbursting dwarf novae. Six objects have their first outburst spectra given here, and the others were also compared with the published outburst spectra. We argue that these data will be useful for further investigation of the accretion disc properties. The He ii λ4686 emission line can be found in the outburst spectra of seven dwarf novae. These objects are excellent candidates for probing the spiral asymmetries of accretion disc.

scholarly journals Spectrophotometry of Supernovae

1974 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 533-544
Author(s):  
R. P. Kirshner
Keyword(s):  
Emission Lines ◽  
Absorption Lines ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Line Profiles ◽  
Energy Distributions ◽  
Maximum Light ◽  
Balmer Lines ◽  
B Lines ◽  
Infrared Triplet ◽  
The Continuum

AbstractAbsolute spectral energy distributions for supernovae of both types I and II have been obtained. These observations demonstrate three facets of supernova spectra. First, both SN I’s and SN II’s have a continuum that varies slowly and uniformly with time, and which carries the bulk of the radiated flux at early epochs. Second, some lines in both SN I’s and SN II’s have P Cygni profiles: broad emissions flanked on their violet edges by broad absorptions. Third, some lines are common to SN I’s and SN II’s and persist throughout the evolution of the spectrum. The continuum temperatures for both SN I’s and SN II’s are about 10000 K at the earliest times of observation and drop in one month’s time to about 6000 K for SN II’s and about 7000 K for SN I’s. After several months, the continuum may cease to carry the bulk of the flux, which might be in emission lines, but continues to exist, as shown by the presence of absorption lines. The P Cygni line profiles indicate expansion velocities of 15000 km s-1 in SN II’s and 20000 km s-11 in the SN I 1972e in NGC 5253. Line identifications for SN II’s include Hα, Hβ, H and K of Ca II, the Ca II infrared triplet at λ8600, the Na I D-lines, the Mg I b-lines at λ5174, and perhaps Fe II. The [O I] lines λλ6300, 6363 and [Ca II] lines λλ7291, 7323 appear after eight months. For SN I’s, the lines identified are H and K of Ca II, the infrared Ca II lines, the Na I D-lines, and the Mg I b-lines. There is some evidence that Balmer lines are present two weeks after maximum. The strong and puzzling λ4600 features drifts with time from λ4600 near maximum light to λ4750 after 400 days.

scholarly journals Ultraviolet Observations of Cataclysmic Variables

1987 ◽  
Vol 93 ◽  
pp. 205-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Verbunt
Keyword(s):  
Orbital Period ◽  
Cataclysmic Variables ◽  
Type Systems ◽  
Terminal Velocity ◽  
Dwarf Novae ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
System Type ◽  
International Ultraviolet Explorer ◽  
Flux Level ◽  
Ultraviolet Observations

AbstractThe preliminary results of the analysis of more than 1000 spectra of cataclysmic variables in the archive of the International Ultraviolet Explorer were presented at the meeting. To characterize the slope of the spectra I use F = log(f1460Å/f2880Å). For most spectra F lies between 0.2 and 0.7. No correlation of F with orbital period, inclination, system type or (for dwarf novae) length of the interoutburst interval are found, apart from somewhat lower values of F for DQ Her type systems. Out of 16 dwarf novae for which spectra both at outburst maximum and minimum are available 11 show no large difference in F between maximum and minimum, and in 5 F declines with the flux level. Out of 6 dwarf novae 5 show very red spectra during the rise to maximum, and 1 shows slopes during rise similar to those during decline.In the ultraviolet resonance lines, due to a wind from the disc, no correlation is found between inclination and terminal velocity.

scholarly journals Physical Interpretation of Dwarf Nova Primary Effective Temperatures

2004 ◽  
Vol 194 ◽  
pp. 192-193
Author(s):  
Dean M. Townsley ◽  
Lars Bildsten
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Radiation ◽  
Accretion Rate ◽  
Thermal State ◽  
Cataclysmic Variables ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Dwarf Novae ◽  
Radiation Losses ◽  
Accretion Rates ◽  
The Masses ◽  
The Impact

AbstractWe have undertaken a theoretical study of the impact of the accumulating envelopes on the thermal state of the underlying white dwarf (WD). This has allowed us to find the equilibrium WD core temperatures, the classical nova ignition masses and the thermal luminosities for WDs accreting at rates of 10–11 – 10–8M⊙ yr–1. These accretion rates are most, appropriate to WDs in cataclysmic variables (CVs) of (Porb ≲ 7 hr), many of which accrete sporadically as Dwarf Novae. Over twenty Dwarf Novae have been observed in quiescence, when the accretion rate is low and the WD photosphere is detected and Teff measured. Comparing our theoretical work to these observations allows us to constrain the WD mass and the time averaged accretion rate, ⟨Ṁ⟩. If ⟨Ṁ⟩ is that given by gravitational radiation losses alone, then the WD masses are > 0.8 M⊙. An alternative conclusion is that the masses are closer to 0.6M⊙ and ⟨Ṁ⟩ is 3-4 times larger than that expected from gravitational radiation losses.

scholarly journals Voracious vortices in cataclysmic variables

2020 ◽  
Vol 642 ◽  
pp. A100
Author(s):  
V. V. Neustroev ◽  
S. V. Zharikov
Keyword(s):  
Cataclysmic Variables ◽  
Accretion Disc ◽  
Emission Lines ◽  
Quiescent State ◽  
Doppler Tomography ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Balmer Lines ◽  
Cool Gas ◽  
The Right ◽  
Three Body

Context. In Paper I we showed that the accretion disc radius of the dwarf nova HT Cas in its quiescent state has not changed significantly during many years of observations. It has remained consistently large, close to the tidal truncation radius. This result is inconsistent with the modern understanding of the evolution of the disc radius through an outburst cycle. Aims. Spectroscopic observations of HT Cas during its superoutburst offered us an exceptional opportunity to compare the properties of the disc of this object in superoutburst and in quiescence. Methods. We obtained a new set of time-resolved spectra of HT Cas in the middle of its 2017 superoutburst. We used Doppler tomography to map emission structures in the system, which we compared with those detected during the quiescent state. We used solutions of the restricted three-body problem to discuss again the location of emission structures and the disc size of HT Cas in quiescence. Results. The superoutburst spectrum is similar in appearance to the quiescent spectra, although the strength of most of the emission lines decreased. However, the high-excitation lines significantly strengthened in comparison with the Balmer lines. Many lines show a mix of broad emission and narrow absorption components. Hα in superoutburst was much narrower than in quiescence. Other emission lines have also narrowed in outburst, but they did not become as narrow as Hα. Doppler maps of Hα in quiescence and of the Hβ and He I lines in outburst are dominated by a bright emission arc at the right side of the tomograms, which is located at and even beyond the theoretical truncation limit. However, the bulk of the Hα emission in outburst has significantly lower velocities. Conclusions. We show that the accretion disc radius of HT Cas during its superoutburst has become hot but remained the same size as it was in quiescence. Instead, we detected cool gas beyond the Roche lobe of the white dwarf that may have been expelled from the hot disc during the superoutburst.

scholarly journals An Accretion-Disc Model for the Algol-Type Eclipsing Binary System AV Del

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. R. Ghoreyshi ◽  
J. Ghanbari ◽  
F. Salehi
Keyword(s):  
Binary System ◽  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Outer Radius ◽  
Accretion Disc ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Primary Star ◽  
Eclipsing Binary ◽  
Disc Model ◽  
The Absolute

AbstractThis study inspects the light and radial-velocity curves of the eclipsing binary AV Del. In comparison with other studies already done, the study shows that the absolute elements, fundamental orbital and physical parameters of the system can be determined using the Wilson-Devinney code. Using these parameters, the configuration of the system is presented. Then, an accretion disc model for the system is introduced by using the shellspec code. The results indicate that AV Del is a semi-detached system in which an optically thick accretion disc is surrounding the primary star. The outer radius of the disc is 8.0 R⊙, corresponding to a distance of 1.1 R⊙ from the surface of the secondary. Also, the temperature of the disc is calculated to be T = 5700 K.

scholarly journals X-ray Dips in AGN and Microquasars – Collapse Timescales of Inner Accretion Disc

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayur B Shende ◽  
Prashali Chauhan ◽  
Prasad Subramanian
Keyword(s):  
Collisionless Plasma ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Outer Radius ◽  
Accretion Disc ◽  
Accretion Discs ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Temporal Behaviour ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Ray Diffusion ◽  
3C 120

Abstract The temporal behaviour of X-rays from some AGN and microquasars is thought to arise from the rapid collapse of the hot, inner parts of their accretion discs. The collapse can occur over the radial infall timescale of the inner accretion disc. However, estimates of this timescale are hindered by a lack of knowledge of the operative viscosity in the collisionless plasma comprising the inner disc. We use published simulation results for cosmic ray diffusion through turbulent magnetic fields to arrive at a viscosity prescription appropriate to hot accretion discs. We construct simplified disc models using this viscosity prescription and estimate disc collapse timescales for 3C 120, 3C 111, and GRS 1915+105. The Shakura-Sunyaev α parameter resulting from our model ranges from 0.02 to 0.08. Our inner disc collapse timescale estimates agree well with those of the observed X-ray dips. We find that the collapse timescale is most sensitive to the outer radius of the hot accretion disc.

scholarly journals CVs Around the Minimum Orbital Period

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-45
Author(s):  
S. Zharikov ◽  
G. Tovmassian
Keyword(s):  
Accretion Disk ◽  
Accretion Disks ◽  
Orbital Period ◽  
Cataclysmic Variables ◽  
Outer Edge ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Period Limit ◽  
Bounce Back ◽  
The Continuum

We discussed features of Cataclysmic Variables at the period minimum. In general, most of them must be WZ Sge-type objects. Main characteristics of the prototype star (WZ Sge) are discussed. A part of WZ Sge-type objects has evolved past the period limit and formed the bounce back systems. We also explore conditions and structure of accretion disks in such systems. We show that the accretion disk in a system with extreme mass ratio grows in size reaching a 2:1 resonance radius and are relatively cool. They also become largely optically thin in the continuum, contributing to the total flux less than the stellar components of the system. In contrast, the viscosity and the temperature in spiral arms formed at the outer edge of the disk are higher and their contribution in continuum plays an increasingly important role. We model such disks and generate light curves which successfully simulate the observed double-humped light curves in the quiescence.

scholarly journals The Characteristics of Magnetic CVs in the Period Gap

2004 ◽  
Vol 190 ◽  
pp. 15-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaghik Tovmassian ◽  
Sergey Zharikov ◽  
Ronald Mennickent ◽  
Jochen Greiner
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Orbital Period ◽  
Accretion Rate ◽  
Cataclysmic Variables ◽  
Magnetic Systems ◽  
Transfer Rates ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables

AbstractWe have observed several magnetic cataclysmic variables located in the range between 2 and 3 hours, known as the period gap. This work was prompted by the recent discovery of RXJ1554.2+2721. It has 2.54 hours orbital period and shows almost pure cyclotron continuum in a low luminosity state, similar to HS1023+3900, HS0922+1333 and RBS206. These are low accretion rate polars (LARPs) known to have mass transfer rates of order of a few 10-13M⊙/year. The aim of the study was to find out, if magnetic systems filling the period gap are in any way different from their counterparts outside that range of periods. The only significant difference we encounter is a much higher number of asynchronous magnetic systems towards longer periods than below the gap.

scholarly journals The X-Ray Nova GRO J0422+32 in Decline and Quiescence

1996 ◽  
Vol 158 ◽  
pp. 399-400
Author(s):  
M. R. Garcia ◽  
P. J. Callanan ◽  
J. E. McClintock ◽  
P. Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Emission Line ◽  
Emission Region ◽  
Dwarf Novae ◽  
X Ray ◽  
First Order ◽  
Band Emission ◽  
Line Region ◽  
Hα Emission ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Continuum

We have followed the X-ray nova GRO J0422+32, spectroscopically and photometrically, throughout the decline to quiescence.In the final stages of decay (days 430…880 after the outburst, see Callanan et al. (1995) for the epoch 1995), the equivalent width (EW) of the Hα emission increases monotonically and the R magnitude decreases monotonically. This suggests that the flux in the Hα line is constant, while the continuum fades. The Hα flux is the product of the R band flux (F(R), arbitrarily scaled to 100 at R = 19 mag) and the EW, and is shown in the last column of the table below. The Hα flux varies by only ~ 30% while the continuum fades by a factor of eight (from R = 19 mag to R = 21.3 mag). So, to first order, the Hα luminosity is constant in the final stages of decay. While it is generally the case that the emission line EWs in individual dwarf novae also increase during the decay, the exact behavior seen in GRO J0422+32 is not what is seen for dwarf novae (on average). Using the relation between EW[Hβ] and Mv given in figure 6 of Patterson (1984), we would expect a factor of ~ 5 variation in the Hα flux during days 430…880. The stability of the Hα flux implies that somehow the emission line region is ‘disconnected’ from the continuum (R–band) emission region.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document