An atlas of line profile studies for SU UMa type cataclysmic variables

• Published in: Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin) 2003-09, Vol.408 (2), p.651-661
• Main Authors: Tappert, C., Mennickent, R. E., Arenas, J., Matsumoto, K., Hanuschik, R. W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: accretion; accretion disks; astronomical data bases: miscellaneous; cataclysmic variables; line: profiles; methods: data analysis; novae
• ISSN: 0004-6361; 1432-0746
• DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20030933

We present Hα line-profile analyses for the seven SU UMa type dwarf novae AK Cnc, WX Cet, AQ Eri, VW Hyi, RZ Leo, TU Men, and HS Vir. All data sets are treated in the same manner, applying a sequence of techniques for each system. The basic ingredients of this sequence are the diagnostic diagram to determine the zero point of the orbital phase, and Doppler tomography to visualise the emission distribution. We furthermore introduce a new qualitative way of to evaluate the Doppler fit, by comparing the line profile of the reconstructed with the original spectrum in the form of the $V/R$ plot. We present the results of the analysis in the compact form of an atlas, allowing a direct comparison of the emission distribution in our targets. Although most of the data sets were not taken with the intention of a line-profile analysis, we obtain significant results and are able to indicate the type of the additional emission in these systems. Our objects should have in principle very similar physical properties, i.e. they cover only a small range in orbital periods, mass ratios, and mass-transfer rates. Nevertheless, we find a large variety of phenomena both with respect to the individual systems and also within individual data sets of the same object. This includes “canonical” additional emission components from the secondary star and the bright spot, but also emission from the leading side of the accretion disc.