Optical/Infrared spectroscopy and photometry of the short period binary RX J1914+24

Abstract

We present observations of the proposed double degenerate polar RX J1914+24. Our optical and infrared spectra show no emission lines. This, coupled with the lack of significant levels of polarisation provide difficulties for a double degenerate polar interpretation. Although we still regard the double degenerate polar model as feasible, we have explored alternative scenarios for RX~J1914+24. These include a double degenerate algol system, a neutron star-white dwarf pair and an electrically powered system. The latter model is particularly attractive since it naturally accounts for the lack of both emission lines and detectable polarisation in RX J1914+24. The observed X-ray luminosity is consistent with the predicted power output. If true, then RX J1914+24 would be the first known stellar binary system radiating largely by electrical energy.

arXiv comment8 pages, accepted for publication in MNRAS

References in corpus (5)

• Isolated Neutron Stars: Accretors and Coolers
• An electrically powered binary star?
• Detection of the optical counterpart of the proposed double degenerate polar RX J1914+24
• Infrared spectroscopy of cataclysmic variables: III. Dwarf novae below the period gap and novalike variables
• Infrared spectroscopy of cataclysmic variables - II. Intermediate polars

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