203 research outputs found
RXTE confirmation of the intermediate polar status of IGR J15094-6649
Aims. To establish the X-ray properties of the intermediate polar candidate
IGR J15094-6649 and therefore confirm its inclusion into the class.
Methods. 42 856 s of X-ray data from RXTE was analysed. Frequency analysis
was used to constrain temporal variations and spectral analysis used to
characterise the emission and absorption properties.
Results. A spin period of 809.7+-0.6 s is present, revealed as a complex
pulse profile whose modulation depth decreases with increasing X-ray energy.
The spectrum is well fitted by either a 19+-4 keV Bremsstrahlung or
Gamma=1.8+-0.1 power law, with an iron emission line feature and significant
absorption in each case.
Conclusions. IGR J15094-6649 is confirmed to be an intermediate polar.Comment: 3 pages, 5 figures. Submitted to A&
Magnetic Cataclysmic Variable Accretion Flows
We have used a magnetic accretion model to investigate the accretion flows of magnetic cataclysmic variables (mCVs) throughout a range of parameter space. The results of our numerical simulations demonstrate that broadly four types of flow are possible: discs, streams, rings and propellers. We show that the equilibrium spin periods in asynchronous mCVs, for a given orbital period and magnetic moment, occur where the flow changes from a type characterised by spin-up (i.e. disc or stream) to one characterised by spin-down (i.e. propeller or ring). 'Triple points' occur in the plane of spin-to-orbital period ratio versus magnetic moment, at which stream-disc-propeller flows or stream-ring-propeller flows can co-exist. The first of these is identified as corresponding to when the corotation radius is equal to the circularisation radius, and the second as where the corotation radius is equal to the distance from white dwarf to the L1 point. If mCVs are accreting at their equilibrium spin rates, then for a mass ratio of 0.5, those with Pspin/Porb < 0.1 will be disc-like, those with 0.1 < Pspin/Porb < 0.5 will be stream-like, and those with Pspin/Porb ~ 0.5 will be ring-like. In each case, some material is also lost from the binary in order to maintain angular momentum balance. The spin to orbital period ratio at which the systems transition between these flow types decreases as the mass ratio of the stellar components increases, and vice versa
On the spin modulated circular polarization from the intermediate polars NY Lup and IGRJ1509-6649
We report on high time resolution, high signal/noise, photo-polarimetry of
the intermediate polars NY Lup and IGRJ1509-6649. Our observations confirm the
detection and colour dependence of circular polarization from NY Lup and
additionally show a clear white dwarf, spin modulated signal. From our new high
signal/noise photometry we have unambiguously detected wavelength dependent
spin and beat periods and harmonics thereof. IGRJ1509-6649 is discovered to
also have a particularly strong spin modulated circularly polarized signal. It
appears double peaked through the I filter and single peaked through the B
filter, consistent with cyclotron emission from a white dwarf with a relatively
strong magnetic field.
We discuss the implied accretion geometries in these two systems and any
bearing this may have on the possible relationship with the connection between
polars and soft X-ray-emitting IPs. The relatively strong magnetic fields is
also suggestive of them being polar progenitors.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures and 1 table. Accepted for publication in MNRA
Are the INTEGRAL Intermediate Polars Different?
One of the biggest surprises of the INTEGRAL mission was the detection of large
numbers of magnetic cataclysmic variables – in particular the intermediate polar (IP) subclass.
Not only have many previously known systems been detected, but many new ones have also been
found and subsequently classified from optical follow-up observations, increasing the sample of IPs
by ! 15%. We have recently been using a particle hydrodynamic code to investigate the accretion
flows of IPs and determine the equilibrium spin-rates and accretion flow patterns across a wide range
of orbital periods, mass ratios and magnetic field strengths. We use the results of these accretion
flow simulations to examine whether the INTEGRAL IPs differ from the overall population and
conclude that they do not. Most IPs are likely to be INTEGRAL sources, given sufficient exposure.
Currently however, none of the 'EX Hya-like' IPs, with large spin-to-orbital period ratios and short
orbital periods, are detected by INTEGRAL. If this continues to be the case once the whole sky
has a comparable INTEGRAL exposure, it may indicate that the ring-like mode of accretion which
we demonstrate occurs in these systems is responsible for their different appearance
Discovery of polarised emission from the long period intermediate polar RX J2133.7+5107
Aims. We intended to investigate the magnetic field properties of the recently identified intermediate polar RX J2133.7+5107.
Methods. We carried out UBVRI photopolarimetric observations of the target using TURPOL on the Nordic Optical Telescope over 2 nights in July/August 2006.
Results. We found that RX J2133.7+5107 emits circularly polarized light in all UBVRI bands (up to 3%). This is the first detection of circular polarization in this object. The circular polarization modulations and flux variations give hints of cyclotron beaming effects and suggest that the field strength in RX J2133.7+5107 is possibly one of the highest found amongst the IPs.
Conclusions. The highly asynchronous rotation of RX J2133.7+5107 (the spin to orbital period ratio is ~0.022), suggests that it has only recently come into contact and although it is likely to evolve into a polar, it is currently a long way from doing so. We suggest a possible link between the detection of a soft X-ray blackbody component and polarized optical emission in intermediate polars
The Accretion Flows and Evolution of Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables
We have used a model of magnetic accretion to investigate the accretion flows
of magnetic cataclysmic variables. Numerical simulations demonstrate that four
types of flow are possible: discs, streams, rings and propellers. The
fundamental observable determining the accretion flow, for a given mass ratio,
is the spin-to-orbital period ratio of the system. If IPs are accreting at
their equilibrium spin rates, then for a mass ratio of 0.5, those with
Pspin/Porb < 0.1 will be disc-like, those with 0.1 < Pspin/Porb < 0.6 will be
stream-like, and those with Pspin/Porb ~ 0.6 will be ring-like. The spin to
orbital period ratio at which the systems transition between these flow types
increases as the mass ratio of the stellar components decreases.
For the first time we present evolutionary tracks of mCVs which allow
investigation of how their accretion flow changes with time. As systems evolve
to shorter orbital periods and smaller mass ratios, in order to maintain spin
equilibrium, their spin-to-orbital period ratio will generally increase. As a
result, the relative occurrence of ring-like flows will increase, and the
occurrence of disc-like flows will decrease, at short orbital periods. The
growing number of systems observed at high spin-to-orbital period ratios with
orbital periods below 2h, and the observational evidence for ring-like
accretion in EX Hya, are fully consistent with this picture.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ. 6 figures - included here at low
resolutio
RXTE determination of the intermediate polar status of XSS J00564+4548, IGR J17195-4100, and XSS J12270-4859
Aims: We determine the nature of the intermediate polar candidates XSS
J00564+4548, IGR J17195-4100, and XSS J12270-4859.
Methods: Pointed RXTE observations searched for intermediate polar
characteristics in these candidate systems.
Results: XSS J00564+4548 exhibits a period of 465.68+-0.07 s, which we
interpret as the spin period, an energy dependent modulation depth, and a
spectrum that is fit by a 22 keV photoelectrically absorbed bremsstrahlung with
an iron line profile. IGR J17195-4100 shows several candidate periodicities and
a spectrum that is fit by a power law with an iron line. XSS J12270-4859
exhibits a candidate spin period of 859.57+-0.64 s and a spectrum that is fit
by a power law with no evidence of an iron line.
Conclusions: XSS J00564+4548 is confirmed to be an intermediate polar. IGR
J17195-4100 and XSS J12270-4859 both show some properties of intermediate
polars, but cannot be confirmed as definite members of the class here.Comment: 5 pages, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in A&
RXTE and XMM observations of intermediate polar candidates
Aims. To determine the credentials of nine candidate intermediate polars in order to confirm whether or not they are magnetic cataclysmic variables.
Methods. Frequency analysis of RXTE and XMM data was used to search for temporal variations which could be associated with the spin period of the magnetic white dwarf. X-ray spectral analysis was carried out to characterise the emission and absorption properties of each target.
Results. The hard X-ray light curve of V2069 Cyg shows a pulse period of 743.2 s, and its spectrum is fit by an absorbed bremsstrahlung model with an iron line, confirming this to be a genuine intermediate polar. The hard X-ray light curve of the previously confirmed intermediate polar IGR J00234+6141 is shown to be consistent with the previous low energy X-ray detection of a 563.5 s pulse period. The likely polar IGR J14536-5522 shows no coherent modulation at the previously identified period of 3.1 hr, but does exhibit a clear signal at periods likely to be harmonically related to it. Whilst our RXTE observations of RX J0153.3+7447, Swift J061223.0+701243.9, V436 Car and DD Cir are largely too faint to give any definitive results, the observation of IGR J16167-4957 and V2487 Oph show some characteristics of intermediate polars and these objects remain good candidates.
Conclusions. We confirmed one new hard X-ray selected intermediate polar from our sample, V2069 Cyg
RXTE confirmation of the intermediate polar status of Swift J0732.5-1331
Aims: We intend to establish the X-ray properties of Swift J0732.5-1331 and therefore confirm its status as an intermediate polar.
Methods: We analysed 36,240 s of X-ray data from RXTE. Frequency analysis was used to constrain temporal variations and spectral analysis used to characterise the emission and absorption properties.
Results: The X-ray spin period is confirmed to be 512.4(3) s with a strong first harmonic. No modulation is detected at the candidate orbital period of 5.6 h, but a coherent modulation is present at the candidate 11.3 h period. The spectrum is consistent with a 37 keV bremsstrahlung continuum with an iron line at 6.4 keV absorbed by an equivalent hydrogen column density of around 1022 atoms cm-2.
Conclusions: Swift J0732-1331 is confirmed to be an intermediate polar
Revisiting the proposed planetary system orbiting the eclipsing polar HU Aquarii
It has recently been proposed, on the basis of eclipse-timing data, that the
eclipsing polar cataclysmic variable HU Aquarii is host to at least two giant
planets. However, that result has been called into question based upon the
dynamical stability of the proposed planets. In this work, we present a
detailed re-analysis of all eclipse timing data available for the HU Aquarii
system, making use of standard techniques used to fit orbits to radial-velocity
data. We find that the eclipse timings can be used to obtain a two-planet
solution that does not require the presence of additional bodies within the
system. We then perform a highly detailed dynamical analysis of the proposed
planetary system. We show that the improved orbital parameters we have derived
correspond to planets that are dynamically unstable on unfeasibly short
timescales (of order 10^4 years or less). Given these results, we discuss
briefly how the observed signal might in fact be the result of the intrinsic
properties of the eclipsing polar, rather than being evidence of dynamically
improbable planets. Taken in concert, our results highlight the need for
caution in interpreting such timing variations as being planetary in nature.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA
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