Identifying Intrinsic Parameters Using Orbital Properties of Cataclysmic Variable Stars

Abstract

A theoretical study of the mass transfer process of non-magnetic cataclysmic variable (CV) stars was carried out. 11 CV systems were selected in different subcategories of CVs and the orbital period analyzing process was performed using both Fourier and Lomb-Scargle algorithms to determine which algorithm generated the best results of periodicity for the obtained light curves of these selected samples. The percentage error of the determination of the orbital period for both algorithms was discussed. The calculated orbital periods of the above sample of CVs were then used for the determination of the mean temperature of the accretion disks of these CVs by using the techniques explained in spectroscopic Balmer emission lines and Stromgren photometry observations. Finally, a correlation was obtained between mass transfer rates which were determined using various techniques and algorithms and the mean temperature of the accretion disk.