WD Surface Research Articles

FUSE Spectroscopy of the Accreting Hot Components in Symbiotic Variables.

We have conducted a spectroscopic analysis of the far ultraviolet archival spectra of four symbiotic variables, EG And, AE Ara, CQ Dra and RW Hya. RW Hya and EG And have never had a recorded outburst while CQ Dra and AE Ara have outburst histories. We analyze these systems while they are in quiescence in order to help reveal the physical properties of their hot components via comparisons of the observations with optically thick accretion disk models and NLTE model white dwarf photospheres. We have extended the wavelength coverage down to the Lyman Limit with FUSE spectra. We find that the hot component in RW Hya is a low mass white dwarf with a surface temperature of 160,000K. We re-examine whether or not the symbiotic system CQ Dra is a triple system with a red giant transferring matter to a hot component made up of a cataclysmic variable in which the white dwarf has a surface temperature as low as ∼20,000K. The very small size of the hot component contributing to the shortest wavelengths of the FUSE spectrum of CQ Dra agrees with an optically thick and geometrically thin (∼4% of the WD surface) hot (∼ 120, 000K) boundary layer. Our analysis of EG And reveals that its hot component is a hot, bare, low mass white dwarf with a surface temperature of 80-95,000K, with a surface gravity log(g) = 7.5. For AE Ara, we also find that a low gravity (log(g) ∼ 6) hot (T ∼ 130, 000K) WD accounts for the hot component.

X-ray and optical observations of four polars

We aim to study the temporal and spectral behaviour of four polar CVs from the infrared to X-ray regimes, refine our knowledge of the physical parameters of these systems at different accretion rates, and to search for a possible excess of soft X-ray photons. We analysed four XMM X-ray observations of three of the sources, two of them discovered in SDSS, one in RASS. The X-ray data were complemented by optical photometry and spectroscopy and, for two sources, archival Swift observations. SDSSJ0328 was X-ray bright in two XMM and two Swift observations, and shows transitions from high and low accretion states over a few months. It has no strong soft excess. We measured the magnetic field strength at the main pole to be 39 MG, the inclination to be 45<i<77 deg, and we have refined the long-term ephemeris. SDSSJ1333 was X-ray faint. We measured a faint phase X-ray flux and plasma temperature for this source, which spends almost all of its time accreting at a low level. Its inclination is less than about 76 degrees. 1RXSJ1730 was X-ray bright in the XMM data. Its spectrum contained a modest soft blackbody component, not luminous enough to be considered a strong soft excess. We inferred a magnetic field strength at the main pole of 20 to 25 MG, and that the inclination is less than 77 and probably less than 63 deg. V808 Aur was faint in the Swift observation but there is still strong evidence for bright and faint phases in X-rays and perhaps in UV. Residual X-ray flux from the faint phase is hard to explain by thermal emission from the WD surface, or by accretion onto the other pole. We give a revised distance estimate of 250pc. The three systems we could study in detail appear to be normal polars, with luminosity and magnetic field strength typical for this class of CV. None of these systems shows the strong soft excess thought commonplace in polars prior to the XMM era.

Doppler shifts on the spin period of the intermediate polar FO Aqr withK2

We analyse the K2 short cadence data of the intermediate polar FO Aqr and provide accurate and updated orbital and spin periodicities. We additionally find small spin period changes as a function of orbital phase of ~0.02 seconds translating to velocities of ~ a few km/s. The obtained orbital-folded velocity profile displays two clear maxima and minima, and cannot be explained by the radial velocity of the orbiting white dwarf. Instead we propose that the observed velocities are the sum of the radial velocities of both the white dwarf and of the stellar surface facing the white dwarf which reprocesses the WD spin pulses. This combination can explain the observed low velocities in FO Aqr. However asymmetries in the orbital configuration are required to explain the double peaked velocity profile. One possible scenario would invoke binary eccentricity. We thus developed a simple binary model to explain and fit our observations, and find a small binary eccentricity of e=0.03. Although small, persistent eccentricity in a close interacting binary would induce enhanced mass transfer occurring preferentially at periastron passages. We thus discuss alternative scenarios where other asymmetries might explain our observations assuming circular orbits. Since FO Aqr is the first system where the combined radial velocities of both the WD and secondary surface have been measured, it is possible that other mass-transferring binaries also display similar velocity curves when observed with Kepler. These will provide additional valuable tests to either confirm or rule out small eccentricities in similar systems.

Reprint of: Multiwavelength modeling the SED of supersoft X-ray sources III. RS Ophiuchi: The supersoft X-ray phase and beyond

I modeled the 14Å–37μm SED of the recurrent symbiotic nova RS Oph during its supersoft source (SSS) phase and the following quiescent phase. During the SSS phase, the model SEDs revealed the presence of a strong stellar and nebular component of radiation in the spectrum. The former was emitted by the burning WD at highly super-Eddington rate, while the latter represented a fraction of its radiation reprocessed by the thermal nebula. During the transition phase, both the components were decreasing and during quiescence the SED satisfied radiation produced by a large, optically thick disk (Rdisk>10R⊙). The super-Eddington luminosity of the burning WD during the SSS phase was independently justified by the high quantity of the nebular emission. The emitting material surrounded the burning WD, and its mass was (1.6±0.5)×10-4(d/1.6kpc)5/2M⊙. The helium ash, deposited on the WD surface during the whole burning period, was around of 8×10-6(d/1.6kpc)2M⊙, which yields an average growing rate of the WD mass, ṀWD∼4×10-7(d/1.6kpc)2M⊙yr-1. The mass accreted by the WD between outbursts, macc∼1.26×10-5M⊙, constrains the average accretion rate, Ṁacc∼6.3×10-7M⊙yr-1. During quiescence, the accretion rate from the model SED of ∼2.3×10-7M⊙yr-1 requires a super-Eddington accretion from the disk at ∼3.6×10-5M⊙yr-1 during the outburst. Such a high accretion can be responsible for the super-Eddington luminosity during the whole burning phase. Simultaneous presence of jets supports this scenario. If the wind from the giant is not sufficient to feed the WD at the required rate, the accretion can be realized from the disk-like reservoir of material around the WD. In this case the time between outbursts will extend, with the next explosion beyond 2027. In the opposite case, the wind from the giant has to be focused to the orbital plane to sustain the high accretion rate at a few ×10-7M⊙yr-1. Then the next explosion can occur even prior to 2027.

Multiwavelength modeling the SED of supersoft X-ray sources III. RS Ophiuchi: The supersoft X-ray phase and beyond

I modeled the 14Å–37μm SED of the recurrent symbiotic nova RS Oph during its supersoft source (SSS) phase and the following quiescent phase. During the SSS phase, the model SEDs revealed the presence of a strong stellar and nebular component of radiation in the spectrum. The former was emitted by the burning WD at highly super-Eddington rate, while the latter represented a fraction of its radiation reprocessed by the thermal nebula. During the transition phase, both the components were decreasing and during quiescence the SED satisfied radiation produced by a large, optically thick disk (Rdisk>10R⊙). The super-Eddington luminosity of the burning WD during the SSS phase was independently justified by the high quantity of the nebular emission. The emitting material surrounded the burning WD, and its mass was (1.6±0.5)×10-4(d/1.6kpc)5/2M⊙. The helium ash, deposited on the WD surface during the whole burning period, was around of 8×10-6(d/1.6kpc)2M⊙, which yields an average growing rate of the WD mass, ṀWD∼4×10-7(d/1.6kpc)2M⊙yr-1. The mass accreted by the WD between outbursts, macc∼1.26×10-5M⊙, constrains the average accretion rate, Ṁacc∼6.3×10-7M⊙yr-1. During quiescence, the accretion rate from the model SED of ∼2.3×10-7M⊙yr-1 requires a super-Eddington accretion from the disk at ∼3.6×10-5M⊙yr-1 during the outburst. Such a high accretion can be responsible for the super-Eddington luminosity during the whole burning phase. Simultaneous presence of jets supports this scenario. If the wind from the giant is not sufficient to feed the WD at the required rate, the accretion can be realized from the disk-like reservoir of material around the WD. In this case the time between outbursts will extend, with the next explosion beyond 2027. In the opposite case, the wind from the giant has to be focused to the orbital plane to sustain the high accretion rate at a few ×10-7M⊙yr-1. Then the next explosion can occur even prior to 2027.

MESA and NuGrid simulations of classical novae: CO and ONe nova nucleosynthesis

Classical novae are the result of thermonuclear flashes of hydrogen accreted by CO or ONe white dwarfs, leading eventually to the dynamic ejection of the surface layers. These are observationally known to be enriched in heavy elements, such as C, O and Ne that must originate in layers below the H-flash convection zone. Building on our previous work, we now present stellar evolution simulations of ONe novae and provide a comprehensive comparison of our models with published ones. Some of our models include exponential convective boundary mixing to account for the observed enrichment of the nova ejecta even when accreted material has a solar abundance distribution. Our models produce maximum temperature evolution profiles and nucleosynthesis yields in good agreement with models that generate enriched ejecta by assuming that the accreted material was pre-mixed. We confirm for ONe novae the result we reported previously, i.e.\ we found that $^3$He could be produced {\it in situ} in solar-composition envelopes accreted with slow rates ($\dot{M} < 10^{-10}\,M_\odot/\mbox{yr}$) by cold ($T_{\rm WD} < 10^7$ K) CO WDs, and that convection was triggered by $^3$He burning before the nova outburst in that case. In addition, we now find that the interplay between the $^3$He production and destruction in the solar-composition envelope accreted with an intermediate rate, e.g.\ $\dot{M} = 10^{-10}\,M_\odot/\mbox{yr}$, by the $1.15\,M_\odot$ ONe WD with a relatively high initial central temperature, e.g.\ $T_{\rm WD} = 15\times 10^6$ K, leads to the formation of a thick radiative buffer zone that separates the bottom of the convective envelope from the WD surface. (Abridged)

On the area of accretion curtains from fast aperiodic time variability of the intermediate polar EX Hya

We present results of a study of the fast timing variability of the magnetic cataclysmic variable (mCV) EX Hya. It was previously shown that one may expect the rapid flux variability of mCVs to be smeared out at timescales shorter than the cooling time of hot plasma in the post shock region of the accretion curtain near the WD surface. Estimates of the cooling time and the mass accretion rate, thus provide us with a tool to measure the density of the post-shock plasma and the cross-sectional area of the accretion funnel at the WD surface. We have probed the high frequencies in the aperiodic noise of one of the brightest mCV EX Hya with the help of optical telescopes, namely SALT and the SAAO 1.9m telescope. We place upper limits on the plasma cooling timescale $\tau<$0.3 sec, on the fractional area of the accretion curtain footprint $f<1.6\times10^{-4}$, and a lower limit on the specific mass accretion rate $\dot{M}/A \gtrsim $3 g/sec/cm$^{-2}$. We show that measurements of accretion column footprints via eclipse mapping highly overestimate their areas. We deduce a value of $\Delta r/r \lesssim 10^{-3}$ as an upper limit to the penetration depth of the accretion disc plasma at the boundary of the magnetosphere.

THE ROLE OF WHITE DWARFS IN CATACLYSMIC VARIABLE SPIN-DOWN

We study the effect of a white dwarf on the spin-down of a cataclysmic variable system using a three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic numerical model. The model includes the stellar corona, the stellar wind, and the WD mass and magnetic field. The existence of the WD modifies the system spin-down by physically blocking the stellar wind, restructuring the wind, channeling the wind towards the WD surface, and by modifying the shape and size of the Alfv\'en surface. The combination of these processes differs among a set of simple test cases, and the resulting angular momentum loss rates vary by factors of 2-3, and by factors of two relative to a test model with a single M dwarf. While the model employs some simplifications, the results suggest angular momentum loss schemes currently employed in cataclysmic variable studies do not require drastic revision. Insights are also gained on wind accretion. We find that efficient accretion switches on quite rapidly with decreasing orbital separation. Accretion rates depend on magnetic field alignment and should be modulated by magnetic cycles on the M dwarf. For particular values of white dwarf magnetic field strength, an efficient syphoning of coronal plasma from the inward facing M dwarf hemisphere occurs. Wind accretion rates are expected to vary by factors of 10 or more between fairly similar close binaries, depending on magnetic field strengths and orbital separation.

X-rays and γ-rays from cataclysmic variables: the example case of intermediate polar V1223 Sgr

The accretion of matter onto intermediate polar White Dwarfs (IPWDs) seems to provide attractive conditions for acceleration of particles to high energies in a strongly magnetized turbulent region at the accretion disk inner radius. We consider possible acceleration of electrons and hadrons in such region and investigate their high energy radiation processes. It is concluded that accelerated electrons loose energy mainly on synchrotron process producing non-thermal X-ray emission. On the other hand, accelerated hadrons are convected onto the WD surface and interact with dense matter. As a result, high energy $\gamma$-rays from decay of neutral pions and secondary leptons from decay of charged pions appear. We show that GeV-TeV $\gamma$-rays can escape from the vicinity of the WD. Secondary leptons produce synchrotron radiation in the hard X-rays and soft $\gamma$-rays. As an example, we predict the X-ray and $\gamma$-ray emission from IPWD V1223 Sgr. Depending on the spectral index of injected particles, this high energy emission may be detected by the ${\it Fermi}$-LAT telescope and/or the future Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) observatory.

FUSESpectroscopy of the White Dwarf in U Geminorum

Observations of U Gem with FUSE confirm that the WD is heated by the outburst and cools during quiescence. At the end of an outburst, the best uniform-temperature WD model fits to the data indicate a temperature of 41,000-47,000 K, while in midquiescence, the temperature is 28,000-31,000 K, depending on the gravity assumed for the WD. Photospheric abundance patterns at the end of the outburst and in midquiescence show evidence of CNO processing. Improved fits to the spectra can be obtained assuming there is a hotter, heated portion of the WD, presumably an accretion belt, with a temperature of 60,000-70,000 K occupying 14%-32% of the surface immediately after outburst. However, other relatively simple models for the second component fit the data just as well, and there is no obvious signature that supports the hypothesis that the second component arises from a separate region of the WD surface. Hence, other physical explanations still must be considered to explain the time evolution of the spectrum of U Gem in quiescence. Strong orbital-phase-dependent absorption, most likely due to gas above the disk, was observed during the midquiescence spectrum. This material, which can be modeled in terms of gas with a temperature of 10,000-11,000 K and a density of 1013 cm-3, has a column density of ~2 × 1021 cm-2 at orbital phase 0.6-0.85 and is probably the same material that has been observed to cause dips in the light curve at X-ray wavelengths in the past. The discrepancy described by Naylor et al. between the radius of the WD derived, on the one hand, by the UV spectral analysis and the distance to U Gem and, on the other hand, by the orbital elements and the gravitational redshift, remains a serious problem.

Hydrodynamic Models of the Accretion Stream in Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables

Hero I use the MHD code, FLASH, from the University of Chicago ASCI Center for Astrophysical Thermonuclear Flashes, to simulate initial two-dimensional simple models of accretion streams in magnetic CVs. These models explore the evolution of inflowing material for two white dwarf masses; 0.5M⊙ and 0.9M⊙. It is seen that a discontinuity forms at a height of 6.1 X 108 cm above the white dwarf ‘surface’ for MWD = 0.5M⊙ and at 1.6 X 109 cm for MWD = 0.9M⊙. These models will be developed further with the ultimate goal of completing a three-dimensional model of magnetic accretion onto a WD surface.