New angular momentum loss mechanism for cataclysmic variables

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/166241· OSTI ID:6996381

Cannizzo, J K; Pudritz, R E

It is well known that there is mass outflow in cataclysmic variables, since IUE observations show P Cyg profiles of various high-excitation lines of C IV and S IV. It is proposed here that these outflows are hydromagnetic winds from accretion disks. The winds extract angular momentum from these systems and therefore drive secular evolution. Disk winds are preferred to winds from the secondary star because of the lower disk surface gravities. Using values of the wind parameters inferred from observations, values are derived for the (time-averaged) induced rate of mass transfer from the red dwarf secondary which span the range inferred by Warner (1976 and 1987). It is shown that this theory accounts for both the IUE observations and the secular evolution of cataclysmic variables. 40 references.

• Research Organization: McMaster Univ., Hamilton (Canada)
• OSTI ID: 6996381
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 327; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCRETION DISKS
ANGULAR MOMENTUM
CARBON
ELEMENTS
ERUPTIVE VARIABLE STARS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
MASS TRANSFER
NONMETALS
SEMIMETALS
SILICON
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
STELLAR ACTIVITY
STELLAR WINDS
VARIABLE STARS