MHD Models of Accretion Disks in Close Binaries

Princeton University, Princeton NJ

Investigators

Abstract

The goal of this proposal is to apply magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modeling tools to the study of interacting close binary systems such as cataclysmic variables (CVs), with the complementary goal of improving the understanding of magneto-rotational instability in accretion disks. While observations of CVs have provided a wealth of constraints on physical models of accretion, advanced MHD models have yet to be applied to the study of the disks in these systems. The project will compare results from the numerical simulations of the disks around close binary star systems to observational data in order to further constrain disk parameters such as physical disk size, angular momentum transport, and global disk features (i.e. spiral shocks, hot spots, etc.). The project will also contribute to scientific workforce development through the involvement of undergraduate and graduate students. The project will communicate results to the public through the development of animations and visualizations of the close binary disk models made available via the web.