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We study the development of finite eccentricity in accretion disks in close binary systems using a two-dimensional grid-based numerical scheme. We perform detailed parameter studies to explore the dependence on viscosity, disk aspect ratio, the inclusion of a mass-transfer stream and the role of the boundary conditions. We consider mass ratios 0.05<q<0.3 appropriate to superoutbursting cataclysmic binary systems. Instability to the formation of a precessing eccentric disk that attains a quasi-steady state with mean eccentricity in the range 0.3-0.5 occurs readily. The shortest growth times are ~15 binary orbits for the largest viscosities and the instability mechanism is for the most part consistent with the mode-coupling mechanism associated with the 3:1 resonance proposed by Lubow. However, the results are sensitive to the treatment of the inner boundary and to the incorporation of the mass-transfer stream. In the presence of a stream we found a critical viscosity below which the disk remains circular. Incorporation of a mass-transfer stream tends to impart stability for small enough viscosity (or, equivalently, mass-transfer rate through the disk) and does assist in obtaining a prograde precession rate that is in agreement with observations. For the larger q the location of the 3:1 resonance is pushed outwards towards the Roche lobe where higher-order mode couplings and nonlinearity occur. It is likely that three-dimensional simulations that properly resolve the disks vertical structure are required to make significant progress in this case.
We study the excitation and damping of tides in close binary systems, accounting for the leading order nonlinear corrections to linear tidal theory. These nonlinear corrections include two distinct effects: three-mode nonlinear interactions and nonlinear excitation of modes by the time-varying gravitational potential of the companion. This paper presents the formalism for studying nonlinear tides and studies the nonlinear stability of the linear tidal flow. Although the formalism is applicable to binaries containing stars, planets, or compact objects, we focus on solar type stars with stellar or planetary companions. Our primary results include: (1) The linear tidal solution often used in studies of binary evolution is unstable over much of the parameter space in which it is employed. More specifically, resonantly excited gravity waves are unstable to parametric resonance for companion masses M > 10-100 M_Earth at orbital periods P = 1-10 days. The nearly static equilibrium tide is, however, parametrically stable except for solar binaries with P < 2-5 days. (2) For companion masses larger than a few Jupiter masses, the dynamical tide causes waves to grow so rapidly that they must be treated as traveling waves rather than standing waves. (3) We find a novel form of parametric instability in which a single parent wave excites a very large number of daughter waves (N = 10^3[P / 10 days]) and drives them as a single coherent unit with growth rates that are ~N times faster than the standard three wave parametric instability. (4) Independent of the parametric instability, tides excite a wide range of stellar p-modes and g-modes by nonlinear inhomogeneous forcing; this coupling appears particularly efficient at draining energy out of the dynamical tide and may be more important than either wave breaking or parametric resonance at determining the nonlinear dissipation of the dynamical tide.
The unparalleled photometric data obtained by NASAs Kepler Space Telescope has led to improved understanding of red-giant stars and binary stars. We discuss the characterization of known eccentric system, containing a solar-like oscillating red-giant primary component. We also report several new binary systems that are candidates for hosting an oscillating companion. A powerful approach to study binary stars is to combine asteroseimic techniques with light curve fitting. Seismology allows us to deduce the properties of red giants. In addition, by modeling the ellipsoidal modulations we can constrain the parameters of the binary system. An valuable independent source are ground-bases, high-resolution spectrographs.
Short period binary systems containing magnetic Ap stars are anomalously rare. This apparent anomaly may provide insight into the origin of the magnetic fields in theses stars. As an early investigation of this, we observed three close binary systems that have been proposed to host Ap stars. Two of these systems (HD 22128 and HD 56495) we find contain Am stars, but not Ap stars. However, for one system (HD 98088) we find the primary is indeed an Ap star, while the secondary is an Am star. Additionally, the Ap star is tidally locked to the secondary, and the predominately dipolar magnetic field of the Ap star is roughly aligned with the secondary. Further investigations of HD 98088 are planned by the BinaMIcS collaboration.
We first present a summary of our numerical work on accretion discs in close binary systems. Our recent studies on numerical simulations of the surface flow on the mass-losing star in a close binary star is then reviewed.
New high-quality CCD photometric light curves for the W UMa-type systems V410 Aur, CK Boo, FP Boo, V921 Her, ET Leo, XZ Leo, V839 Oph, V2357 Oph, AQ Psc and VY Sex are presented. The new multicolor light curves, combined with the spectroscopic data recently obtained at David Dunlap Observatory, are analyzed with the Wilson-Devinney code to yield the physical parameters (masses, radii and luminosities) of the components. Our models for all ten systems resulted in a contact configuration. Four binaries (V921 Her, XZ Leo, V2357 Oph and VY Sex) have low, while two (V410 Aur and CK Boo) have high fill-out factors. FP Boo, ET Leo, V839 Oph and AQ Psc have medium values of the fill-out factor. Three of the systems (FP Boo, V921 Her and XZ Leo) have very bright primaries as a result of their high temperatures and large radii.