Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Orbital Parameters And Chemical Composition Of Four White Dwarfs In Post-Common-Envelope Binaries, Adéla Kawka, Stéphane Vennes, Jean François Dupuis, Pierre Chayer, Thierry M. Lanz

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We present FUSE observations of the hot white dwarfs in the post-common-envelope binaries Feige 24, EUVE J0720-317, BPM 6502, and EUVE J2013+400. The spectra show numerous photospheric absorption lines, which trace the white dwarf orbital motion. We report the detection of C III, O VI, P V, and Si IV in the spectra of Feige 24, EUVE J0720-317, and EUVE J2013+400 and the detection of C III, N II, Si III, Si IV, and Fe III in the spectra of BPM 6502. Abundance measurements support the possibility that white dwarfs in post-common-envelope binaries accrete material from the secondary star wind. …