Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [201]-212).

This study presented the light variation mechanism along with temperature, distance, and changes in projected surface area of the dwarf nova CN Orionis. Modeling the disk and hot spot as blackbodies produced graphs of flux, temperature, and projected surface area over time, making it possible to deduce the cause for the light variation. This is a valid approximation, since the disk is considered to be opaque in nature. The orbital period of CN Orionis was in phase with the above parameters, which affirm projected surface area of the hot spot is heavily responsible for the flux variations, and not temperature variations. Further determinations of these parameters and more data collection would be quite beneficial for confirmation and further study of accretion disk physics. / Department of Physics and Astronomy

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Open University. BLDSC no. DXN046358.

The magnetic rotator model has long been the favored explanation for coherent photometric modulations in the DQ Herculis class of cataclysmic variables. However, to date, all evidence supporting this model has been of the indirect variety. Unlike their synchronously rotating cousins, the AM Herculis objects, DQ Herculis stars have not yet been discovered to emit polarized radiation. Therefore, in light of this crucial lack, the evidence used to place these objects in the magnetic cataclysmic variable category has been strictly circumstantial, based primarily on the coherence of the photometric periodicities. In this work, time-resolved spectroscopy of four long-period DQ Herculis stars is performed. In addition, two of the same objects are observed with a new, sensitive circular polarimeter. Chapters II and III describe these observations and the results of each. To summarize, coherent variations in the wavelength of emission lines were found with the spectroscopic observations. A model is put forth, explaining this phenomenon as being due to varying illumination from a bright spot on the primary. This, of course, adds strength to the magnetic rotator model. Secondly, circular polarization was definitely found in one object studied, and possibly in a second. Therefore, for the first time, there is direct evidence of the magnetic nature of these binaries. In Chapter IV, the model of the rotating bright spot illuminating the disk is explored in further detail, including modeling with a minicomputer. Afterward, a problem brought out by the low polarization coupled with large amplitude photometric variations and a cool spectrum is investigated, namely, is it possible to produce large amounts of cyclotron radiation without producing large amounts of circular polarization? The results tend to show that, for a large emitting area, the answer is yes. Chapter V is a summary of the rest of the work.

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Bibliography: pages 155-165. / The unusual spectra of the spatially-resolved nova shells of DQ Her, T Aur and CP Pup are reviewed. Because calculations for these conditions have not been made, recombination models of HI, HeI and CNO from a neutral to a doubly ionized state were constructed. The models are described and the results presented for densities at various temperatures. A photoionization model is also described. The effects of non-uniform density distributions in nova shells have been investigated and the observational consequences discussed. A model of the CP Pup shell is described and the evolution of this plasma during the nova's constant luminosity phase traced. The properties of neon novae are summarized and compared with the features seen in the optical spectra of old classical novae. Enhanced neon abundances are used in the model of the CP Pup Shell to investigate its effect on the evolution of the shell. Finally, the results of some near-infrared observations made on the shells of CP Pup, RR Pic and T Pyx are reported.

An explanation of the emission line behavior in cataclysmic variables has been among the most important and elusive problems in eruptive star research. This work expands accretion disk chromosphere models of line emission to predict line behavior qualitatively. A search for UX UMa-like thick disk cataclysmics in the Palomar Green survey sample gave space densities consistent only with luminous high accretion rate disks: Ṁ ≥ 10⁻⁷·⁰Mₒ/yr. Instead, 20 composites whose combined energy distributions were "flat", Fᵥ α ν⁰, were discovered. These typically were early K dwarfs paired with 30,000K subdwarf O stars. The study also showed that a substantial fraction of subdwarf O and B stars are binary. The detached eclipsing binary BE UMa showed a reflection effect emission line spectrum due to the close 7Rₒ separation between an EUV-emitting subdwarf O star and an M1-5 dwarf. Analysis gave the hot star physical parameters as: 80,000K ≤ T(p)(K) ≤ 100,000, 7.0 ≤ log g(p) ≤ 8.0, and log (He/H) = 1.0 ± 1.0. The BE UMa optical emission line spectrum was modeled using a quantitative photoionization-recombination stellar atmosphere-like code. A rich high excitation continuum fluorescence and recombinational spectrum including HeII λ4686 and CIII λ4650 was formed at lower optical depths corresponding to nₑ ≤ 10¹³·⁵ cm⁻³ and Tₑ = 20,000K. The model suggests that T(p) = 100,000K. Cataclysmic variables too have a central source due to loss of half the accretion energy at the white dwarf surface. This temperature is no higher than the innermost disk regions; hence, mass accretion rates determine the character of the EUV radiation. Observations of 13 cataclysmics representing most types were obtained. From these data, the H, HeI, HeII, CaII, and high excitation metal emission line behavior in cataclysmics were analyzed. Cataclysmic variable accretion rates were shown to follow a sequence; from the low excitation dwarf novae [10⁻⁹·⁵ ≤ Ṁ (Mₒ/yr) ≤ 10⁻⁸·⁵] to the high excitation novae and nova-like systems [10⁻⁸·⁵ < Ṁ(Mₒ/yr) ≤ 10⁻⁶·⁵]. Predicted line profiles were consistent with observations. Thus, the model accounts well for the considered observations.

There is no abstract available for this thesis. / Department of Physics and Astronomy

Cataclysmic variable stars (CVs) are interacting binary systems. One of the stars (referred to as the primary) is a white dwarf, the other (referred to as the secondary) is usually a late main sequence star such as a red dwarf. Due to the closeness of the two stars, the white dwarf accretes gasses from the secondary. If the white dwarf does not possess a strong magnetic field, these gasses go into orbit, forming an accretion disk around the primary. If the white dwarf does possess a strong magnetic field, the gasses cannot form an accretion disk because they are entrained by the magnetic field lines. Cataclysmic variable stars in which the magnetic field is strong enough to prevent the formation of the accretion disk are called AM Herculis-type systems, after their prototype. In this study, the time-resolved spectroscopy of two AM Herculis-type binary systems, QQ Vul and EF Eri, are analyzed. In addition, Doppler Tomography, an analysis technique previously applied primarily to cataclysmic variable stars with accretion disks, is applied to these systems. / Department of Physics and Astronomy

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