NLTE accretion disc models for the AM Canum Venaticorum systems

Abstract

We present models of the optical spectra of two types of accretion disc atmospheres: a pure helium model and a H-He model, in a low mass ratio, helium transferring, interacting binary white dwarf system. The computations are restricted to stationary discs in LTE and NLTE cases. We also investigate the influence on the spectra of some of the disc parameters such as the mass accretion rate, the angle of inclination, the H/He mass ratio, and the inner and outer radius of the disc. Departures from LTE are also investigated in order to assess the necessity of computing more complicated and more time consuming models. We found that dierences in predicted equivalent widths of helium line computed in LTE and NLTE models range between 10 and 40 percent. Finally we compare our disc models with 4 of the AM CVn systems observed with the Nordic Optical Telescope: AM CVn, HP Lib, V803 Cen and CR Boo to determine their parameters as mass transfer rates and inclinations of their discs.