A Statistical Investigation of the Contamination of Binary Gravitational Lens Candidates by Cataclysmic Variables

Abstract

A common remark at conferences and meetings has been: One can fit any light curve with binary lens models because of the large number of parameters! It is especially tempting to claim that some of the possible binary events in the Galactic microlensing searches could be caused by cataclysmic variables since both phenomena exhibits asymmetric light curves. This paper presents a statistical analysis comparing the light curves of cataclysmic variable stars to the light curves generated from binary lens models. It is shown that the light curves of high amplitude cataclysmic variables are one example of light curves that can not be explained with binary lens models. It is, therefore, not only unlikely, but also impossible that cataclysmic variables can contaminate the binary microlens candidates.