Spot Model for Identifications of Periods in Asynchronous Polars

Abstract

We improved the discless accretion models of Wynn \& King, considering the effects of the changing aspect due to the white dwarf spin and the variable feeding intensity caused by the asynchronism, and set up a more general spot model which is not sensitive to the different forms of these effects and can be applied for the period analysis of the optical and X-ray light curve. The spot model can produce the power spectra compatible with the observations, and its simulations limit the ratio $P_{spin}/P_{orb}<2$ between the powers at the white dwarf spin and the binary orbital frequencies, which is a strong criterion for identification of periods. Then we recognize the periods for CD Ind, BY Cam and 1RXS J083842.1-282723. The spot model reveals a complex accretion geometry in the asynchronous polars, which may indicate that the complex magnetic field causes their asynchronism. We think 1RXS J083842.1-282723 is a pre-polars because of its highest asynchronism and stable light curve. Giving the unstable accretion process in asynchronous polars, the period analysis of the long-term light curve will make the orbital signal prominent.

References in corpus (2)

• The generalised Lomb-Scargle periodogram. A new formalism for the floating-mean and Keplerian periodograms
• Resynchronization of the Asynchronous Polar CD Ind

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Kepler K2 and TESS observations of two magnetic cataclysmic variables: The new asynchronous polar SDSS J084617.11+245344.1 and Paloma
• Swift J0503.7-2819: A Short-Period Asynchronous Polar or Stream-Fed Intermediate Polar
• X-ray observations of the nova shell IPHASX J210204.7+471015
• A systematic search for orbital periods of polars with TESS. Methods, detection limits, and results