Subscribe to the gold package and get unlimited access to Shamra Academy
Register a new userThermal Evolution of AM CVn Binary Donors
132
0
0.0
(
0
)
Added by
Christopher J. Deloye
Publication date
2006
fields
Physics
and research's language is
English
Ask ChatGPT about the research
No Arabic abstract
We discuss results of our study on AM CVn binaries formed with donors that never ignited He before contact. For the first time, we treat the donors in these systems in the context of a full stellar structure evolution theory and find that the binarys evolution can described in terms of 3 phases: contact, adiabatic donor expansion, and late-time donor cooling. Details of the first and third phase are new results from this study and we focus on generally characterizing these two phases. Finally, we present our predictions for the donors light in these systems.
rate research
Read More
We apply the Deloye & Bildsten (2003) isentropic models for donors in ultracompact low-mass X-ray binaries to the AM CVn population of ultracompact, interacting binaries. The mass-radius relations of these systems donors in the mass range of interest ($M_2<0.1 msun$) are not single-valued, but parameterized by the donors specific entropy. This produces a range in the relationships between system observables, such as orbital period, $Porb$, and mass transfer rate, $Mdot$. For a reasonable range in donor specific entropy, $Mdot$ can range over several orders of magnitude at fixed $Porb$. We determine the unique relation between $Mdot$ and $M_2$ in the AM CVn systems with known donor to accretor mass ratios, $q=M_2/M_1$. We use structural arguments, as well as each systems photometric behavior, to place limits on $Mdot$ and $M_2$ in each. Most systems allow a factor of about 3 variation in $Mdot$, although V803 Cen, if the current estimates of its $q$ are accurate, is an exception and must have $M_2 approx 0.02 msun$ and $Mdot approx 10^{-10} msun$ yr$^{-1}$. Our donor models also constrain each donors core temperature, $T_c$, range and correlate $T_c$ with $M_2$. We examine how variations in donor specific entropy across the white dwarf family citep{nele01a} of AM CVn systems affects this populations current galactic distribution. Allowing for donors that are not fully degenerate produces a shift in systems towards longer $Porb$ and higher $Mdot$ increasing the parameter space in which these systems can be found. This shift increases the fraction of systems whose $Porb$ is long enough that their gravity wave (GW) signal is obscured by the background of detached double white dwarf binaries that dominate the GW spectrum below a frequency $approx 2$ mHz.
We present the discovery of SDSS J135154.46-064309.0, a short-period variable observed using 30-minute cadence photometry in K2 Campaign 6. Follow-up spectroscopy and high-speed photometry support a classification as a new member of the rare class of ultracompact accreting binaries known as AM CVn stars. The spectroscopic orbital period of $15.65 pm 0.12$,minutes makes this system the fourth-shortest period AM CVn known, and the second system of this type to be discovered by the Kepler spacecraft. The K2 data show photometric periods at $15.7306 pm 0.0003$,minutes, $16.1121 pm 0.0004$,minutes and $664.82 pm 0.06$,minutes, which we identify as the orbital period, superhump period, and disc precession period, respectively. From the superhump and orbital periods we estimate the binary mass ratio $q = M_2/M_1 = 0.111 pm 0.005$, though this method of mass ratio determination may not be well calibrated for helium-dominated binaries. This system is likely to be a bright foreground source of gravitational waves in the frequency range detectable by LISA, and may be of use as a calibration source if future studies are able to constrain the masses of its stellar components.
We report the discovery of a one magnitude increase in the optical brightness of the 59.63 minute orbital period AM CVn binary SDSS J113732.32+405458.3. Public $g$, $r$, and $i$ band data from the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) exhibit a decline over a 300 day period, while a few data points from commissioning show that the peak was likely seen. Such an outburst is likely due to a change in the state of the accretion disk, making this the longest period AM CVn binary to reveal an unstable accretion disk. The object is now back to its previously observed (by SDSS and PS-1) quiescent brightness that is likely set by the accreting white dwarf. Prior observations of this object also imply that the recurrence times for such outbursts are likely more than 12 years.
We have obtained observations of the ultraviolet spectrum of AM CVn, an ultra-short-period helium cataclysmic variable, using the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We obtained data in time-tag mode during two consecutive orbits of HST, covering 1600-3150 and 1140-1710 Angstrom, respectively. The mean spectrum is approximately flat in f-nu. The absorption profiles of the strong lines of N V, Si IV, C IV, He II, and N IV are blue-shifted and in some cases asymmetric, evidencing a wind that is partly occulted by the accretion disk. There is weak red-shifted emission from N V and He II. The profiles of these lines vary mildly with time. The light curve shows a decline of ~20% over the span of the observations. There is also flickering and a 27 s (or 54 s) dwarf nova oscillation, revealed in a power-spectrum analysis. The amplitude of this oscillation is larger at shorter wavelengths. We assemble and illustrate the spectral energy distribution (s.e.d.) of AM CVn from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared. Modeling the accretion phenomenon in this binary system can in principle lead to a robust estimate of the mass accretion rate on to the central white dwarf, which is of great interest in characterizing the evolutionary history of the binary system. Inferences about the mass accretion rate depend strongly on the local radiative properties of the disk, as we illustrate. Uncertainty in the distance of AM CVn and other parameters of the binary system presently limit the ability to confidently infer the mass accretion rate.
We consider initial stage of the evolution of AM CVn type stars with white dwarf donors, which is accompanied by thermonuclear explosions in the layer of accreted He. It is shown that the accretion never results in detonation of He and accretors in AM CVn stars finish their evolution as massive WDs. We found, for the first time, that in the outbursts the synthesis of n-rich isotopes, initiated by the ${mathrm{^{22}{Ne}(alpha,n)^{25}Mg}}$ reaction becomes possible.
Log in to be able to interact and post comments
comments
Fetching comments
Sign in to be able to follow your search criteria
