Synthetic Spectrum Constraints on a Model of the Cataclysmic Variable QU Carinae

Abstract

Neither standard model SEDs nor truncated standard model SEDs fit observed spectra of QU Carinae with acceptable accuracy over the range 900Åto 3000Å. Non-standard model SEDs fit the observation set accurately. The non-standard accretion disk models have a hot region extending from the white dwarf to $R=1.36R_{\mathrm{wd}}$,a narrow intermediate temperature annulus, and an isothermal remainder to the tidal cutoff boundary. The models include a range of $\dot{M}$ values between $1.0\times 10^{-7}{M}_{\odot }{\mathrm{yr}}^{-1}$ and $1.0\times 10^{-6}{M}_{\odot }{\mathrm{yr}}^{-1}$ and limiting values of $M_{\mathrm{wd}}$ between $0.6M_{\odot }$ and $1.2M_{\odot }$. A solution with $M_{\mathrm{wd}}=1.2M_{\odot }$ is consistent with an empirical mass-period relation. The set of models agree on a limited range of possible isothermal region $T_{\mathrm{eff}}$ values between 14,000K and 18,000K. The model-to-model residuals are so similar that it is not possible to choose a best model. The Hipparcos distance, 610 pc, is representative of the model results. The orbital inclination is between $40\arcdeg$ and $60\arcdeg$.

arXiv comment52 pages, 19 Figures

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• Novalike Cataclysmic Variables in the Infrared
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• Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of the Nova-Like Variable KQ Monocerotis: A New SW Sextantis Star?
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