Simulation of Accretion Disk Wind Spectra in Cataclysmic Variables with a 3D non-LTE Monte-Carlo Radiation Transfer Code

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Klaus Werner
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2006 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 24942277

• Final Report Year: 2013

Final Report Abstract

We have developed a 3D Monte Carlo radiative transfer code in order to compute the spectra from accretion-disk winds in cataclysmic variable stars. The code avoids the simplifying Sobolev approximation and uses detailed line and continuum opacities. It is able to solve for a self-consistent temperature structure. At present, however, the simplifying approach of LTE atomic population numbers is made. We have computed spectra based on different wind models (kinematical and HD structures) and applied our models to derive, for the first time, the mass-loss rate in a helium-dominated environment (the prototype of the AM CVn class).

Publications

• 2008, Metal Abundances in Accretion Discs of AM CVn Binaries, in Hydrogen-Deficient Stars, ASP Conference Series, Vol. 391, eds. K. Werner, T. Rauch, p. 281
  Nagel, T., Kusterer, D.-J., Rauch, T., Werner, K.
  
• 2008, Metal Abundances in Accretion Discs of AM CVn Binaries, in Hydrogen-Deficient Stars, ASP Conference Series, Vol. 391, eds. K. Werner, T. Rauch, p. 285
  Kusterer, D.-J., Nagel, T., Werner, K.
  
• 2008, Radiative transfer in CV disk winds, in Clumping in hot-star winds, eds. W.-R. Hamann, A. Feldmeier, L.M. Oskinova, ISBN 978-3-940793-33-1, p. 246
  Kusterer, D.-J., Nagel, T., Werner, K., Feldmeier, A.
  
• 2010 WACCABI-A 2D Radiative Transfer Code for Stellar Winds in Cataclysmic Binaries, in 17th European White Dwarf Workshop, AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1273, eds. K. Werner, T. Rauch, p. 354
  Semionov, D., Nagel, T., Suleimanov, V., Werner, K.