Two Types of X-ray Spectra in Cataclysmic Variables

Details Two Types of X-ray Spectra in Cataclysmic Variables Two Types of X-ray Spectra in Cataclysmic Variables

2003-01-28

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0301557v1

Astrophys.J. 586 (2003) L77-L80

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

12 pages including 2 color figures, accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letters

Scientific paper

10.1086/374583

We present Chandra HETG spectra of seven cataclysmic variables. We find that they divide unambiguously into two distinct types. Spectra of the first type are remarkably well fit by a simple cooling flow model, which assumes only steady-state isobaric radiative cooling. The maximum temperature and the normalization, which provides a highly precise measurement of the accretion rate, are the only free parameters of this model. Spectra of the second type are grossly inconsistent with a cooling flow model. They instead exhibit a hard continuum, and show strong H-like and He-like ion emission but little Fe L-shell emission, which is consistent with expectations for line emission from a photoionized plasma. Using a simple photoionization model, we argue that the observed line emission for these sources can be driven entirely by the hard continuum. The physical significance of these two distinct types of X-ray spectra is also explored.

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