On echo outbursts and ER UMa supercycles in SUUMa-type cataclysmic variables

Conference item

I present a variation on Osaki's tidal-thermal-instability model for SU UMa behaviour. I suggest that in systems with the lowest mass ratios, the angular-momentum dissipation in an eccentric disc is unable to sustain the disc on the hot side of the thermal instability. This decoupling of the tidal and thermal instabilities in low-q systems allows a better explanation of the 'echo' outbursts of WZ Sge systems and the short supercycles of ER UMa stars. The idea might also apply to the soft X-ray transients.

Authors: Hellier, C

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: EVOLUTION OF BINARY AND MULTIPLE STAR SYSTEMS
• Volume: 229
• Pages: 385-389
• Publication date: 2001-01-01
• Event title: Conference on Evolution of Binary and Multiple Star Systems
• ISBN: 1583810617
• Keywords: EG CANCRI; SUPERHUMPS; BINARIES