Structure of the accretion flow of IX Velorum as revealed by high-resolution spectroscopy

Abstract

Context. Several high mass-transfer cataclysmic variables show evidence of outflow from the system, which could play an important role in their evolution. We investigate the system IX Vel, which was proposed to show similar characteristics. Aims. We study the structure of the IX Vel system, particularly the structure of its accretion flow and accretion disc. Methods. We used high-resolution time-resolved spectroscopy to construct radial velocity curves of the components in IX Vel. We computed Doppler maps of the system, which we used to estimate the temperature distribution maps. Results. We have improved the spectroscopic ephemeris of the system and its orbital period Porb = 0.19392793(3) d. We constructed Doppler maps of the system based on hydrogen and helium emission lines and the Bowen blend. The maps show features corresponding to the irradiated face of the secondary star, the outer rim of the accretion disc, and low-velocity components located outside the accretion disc and reaching towards L3. We constructed a temperature distribution map of the system using the Doppler maps of Balmer lines. Apart from the features found in the Doppler maps, the temperature distribution map shows a region of high temperature in the accretion disc connecting the expected position of a bright spot and the inner parts of the disc. Conclusions. We interpret the low-velocity emission found in the Doppler map as emission originating in the accretion disc wind and in an outflow region located in the vicinity of the third Lagrangian point L3. This makes IX Vel a member of the RW Sex class of cataclysmic variables.