Magnetic-Field Structure in the Accretion Disks of Semi-Detached Binary Systems

Abstract

The results of three-dimensional MHD numerical simulations are used to investigate the characteristic properties of the magnetic-field structures in the accretion disks of semi-detached binary systems. It is assumed that the intrinsic magnetic field of the accretor star is dipolar. Turbulent diffusion of the magnetic field in the disk is taken into account. The SS Cyg system is considered as an example. The results of the numerical simulations show the intense generation of a predominantly toroidal magnetic field in the accretion disk. Magnetic zones with well defined structures for the toroidal magnetic field form in the disk, which are separated by current sheets in which there is magnetic reconnection and current dissipation. Possible observational manifestations of such structures are discussed. It is shown that the interaction of a spiral precessional wave with the accretor's magnetosphere could lead to quasi-periodic oscillations of the accretion rate.

17 pages, 10 figures

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Cited by in corpus (4)

• Full 3-D MHD calculations of accretion flow Structure in magnetic cataclysmic variable stars with strong and complex magnetic fields
• A Numerical Model for Accretion in Intermediate Polars with Dipolar Magnetic Fields
• Anchoring polar magnetic field in a stationary thick accretion disk
• Features of the Flow Structure in the Vicinity of the Inner Lagrangian Point in Polars