8,534 research outputs found
A Theoretical Light-Curve Model for the 1999 Outburst of U Scorpii
A theoretical light curve for the 1999 outburst of U Scorpii is presented in
order to obtain various physical parameters of the recurrent nova. Our U Sco
model consists of a very massive white dwarf (WD) with an accretion disk and a
lobe-filling, slightly evolved, main-sequence star (MS). The model includes a
reflection effect by the companion and the accretion disk together with a
shadowing effect on the companion by the accretion disk. The early visual light
curve (t ~ 1-15 days after maximum) is well reproduced by a thermonuclear
runaway model on a very massive WD close to the Chandrasekhar limit (M_{WD}=
1.37 \pm 0.01 M_\odot), in which optically thick winds blowing from the WD play
a key role in determining the nova duration. The duration of the strong wind
phase (t~0-17 days) is very consistent with the BeppoSAX supersoft X-ray
detection at t~19-20 days because supersoft X-rays are self-absorbed by the
massive wind. The envelope mass at the peak is estimated to be ~3x10^{-6}
M_\odot, which is indicating an average mass accretion rate ~2.5x10^{-7}
M_\odot yr^{-1} during the quiescent phase between 1987 and 1999. These
quantities are exactly the same as those predicted in a new progenitor model of
Type Ia supernovae.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, to appear in ApJL, vol. 52
Theory of two-dimensional macroscopic quantum tunneling in a Josephson junction coupled with an LC circuit
We investigate classical thermal activation (TA) and macroscopic quantum
tunneling (MQT) for a Josephson junction coupled with an LC circuit
theoretically. The TA and MQT escape rate are calculated analytically by taking
into account the two-dimensional nature of the classical and quantum phase
dynamics. We find that the MQT escape rate is largely suppressed by the
coupling to the LC circuit. On the other hand, this coupling gives rise to
slight reduction of the TA escape rate. These results are relevant for the
interpretation of a recent experiment on the MQT and TA phenomena in grain
boundary YBCO Josephson junctions.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, Proceedings of LT2
Is T Leonis a superoutbursting intermediate polar?
We present an XMM-Newton analysis of the cataclysmic variable T Leo. The
X-ray light curve shows sinusoidal variation on a period P_x equal to
0.89^{+0.14}_{-0.10} times the previously spectroscopically determined orbital
period. Furthermore, we find a signal in the power spectrum at 414 sec that
could be attributed to the spin period of the white dwarf. If true, T Leo would
be the first confirmed superoutbursting intermediate polar IP). The spin
profile is double-peaked with a peak separation of about 1/3 spin phases. This
appears to be a typical feature for IPs with a small magnetic field and fast
white dwarf rotation. An alternative explanation is that the 414 sec signal is
a Quasi-periodic Oscillation (QPO) that is caused by mass transfer variation
from the secondary, a bright region (``blob'') rotating in the disc at a radius
of approximately ~9 Rwd or - more likely - a travelling wave close to the inner
disc edge of a dwarf nova with a low field white dwarf. The XMM-Newton RGS
spectra reveal double peaked emission for the O VIII Ly alpha line. Scenarios
in the IP and dwarf nova model are discussed (an emitting ring in the disc,
bright X-ray spot on disc edge, or emitting accretion funnels), but the
intermediate polar model is favoured. Supported is this idea by the finding
that only the red peak appears to be shifted and the `blue' peak is compatible
with the rest wavelength. The red peak thus is caused by emission from the
northern accretion spot when it faces the observer. Instead, the peak at the
rest wavelength is caused when the southern accretion funnel is visible just on
the lower edge of the white dwarf - with the velocity of the accreting material
being perpendicular to the line of sight.Comment: 11 pages, 15 figures, accepted by A&
Oscillations of tori in the pseudo-Newtonian potential
Context. The high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (HF QPOs) in neutron
star and stellar-mass black hole X-ray binaries may be the result of a
resonance between the radial and vertical epicyclic oscillations in strong
gravity. Aims. In this paper we investigate the resonant coupling between the
epicyclic modes in a torus in a strong gravitational field. Methods. We perform
numerical simulations of axisymmetric constant angular momentum tori in the
pseudo-Newtonian potential. The epicyclic motion is excited by adding a
constant radial velocity to the torus. Results. We verify that slender tori
perform epicyclic motions at the frequencies of free particles, but the
epicyclic frequencies decrease as the tori grow thicker. More importantly, and
in contrast to previous numerical studies, we do not find a coupling between
the radial and vertical epicyclic motions. The appearance of other modes than
the radial epicyclic motion in our simulations is rather due to small numerical
deviations from exact equilibrium in the initial state of our torus.
Conclusions. We find that there is no pressure coupling between the two
axisymmetric epicyclic modes as long as the torus is symmetric with respect to
the equatorial plane. However we also find that there are other modes in the
disc that may be more attractive for explaining the HF QPOs.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure
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