Peculiar Abundances in CV Secondary Stars: Revising their Evolutionary History?

We have recently completed an infrared (K-band) spectroscopic survey of two dozen cataclysmic variables. The systems range in orbital period from Р orb = 1-35 hr (EF Eri), to Р orb = 11.0 hr (V442 Cen). We detect the secondary star in every system. Nearly all of the CVs in which we can clearly see t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International Astronomical Union Colloquium 2004-07, Vol.194, p.249-249
Main Authors: Harrison, Thomas E., Howell, Steve B., Johnson, Joni J., Osborne, Heather L., Homeier, Derek
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:We have recently completed an infrared (K-band) spectroscopic survey of two dozen cataclysmic variables. The systems range in orbital period from Р orb = 1-35 hr (EF Eri), to Р orb = 11.0 hr (V442 Cen). We detect the secondary star in every system. Nearly all of the CVs in which we can clearly see the secondary have weak CO features. Most show evidence for enhanced levels of 13 CO. In addition, we see apparent enhancements and/or deficits of such species as sodium, calcium, titanium, magnesium, silicon, and iron. In addition, we find a few lines that we have been unable to identify (such as the strong feature we call “cataclysmicum” at 2.2767 μ m seen in the spectrum of EF Eri, and two other very short period CVs).
ISSN:0252-9211
DOI:10.1017/S0252921100152947