The case for jets in cataclysmic variables. (arXiv:2003.05953v1 [astro-ph.HE])
<a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Coppejans_D/0/1/0/all/0/1">Deanne Coppejans</a>, <a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Knigge_C/0/1/0/all/0/1">Christian Knigge</a>
For decades cataclysmic variables (CVs) were thought to be one of the few
classes of accreting compact objects to not launch jets, and have consequently
been used to constrain jet launching models. However, recent theoretical and
observational advances indicate that CVs do in fact launch jets. Specifically,
it was demonstrated that their accretion-outflow cycle is analogous to that of
their higher mass cousins — the X-ray Binaries (XRBs). Subsequent observations
of the CV SS Cygni confirmed this and have consistently shown radio flaring
equivalent to that in the XRBs that marks a transient jet. Based on this
finding and the emission properties, several studies have concluded that the
radio emission is most likely from a transient jet. Observations of other CVs,
while not conclusive, are consistent with this interpretation. However, the
issue is not yet settled. Later observations have raised a number of questions
about this model, as well as about potential alternative radio emission
mechanisms. CVs are non-relativistic and many have well-determined distances;
these properties would make them ideal candidates with which to address many of
our outstanding questions about fundamental jet physics. Here we review the
case for jets in CVs, discuss the outstanding questions and issues, and outline
the future work necessary to conclusively answer the question of whether CVs
launch jets.
For decades cataclysmic variables (CVs) were thought to be one of the few
classes of accreting compact objects to not launch jets, and have consequently
been used to constrain jet launching models. However, recent theoretical and
observational advances indicate that CVs do in fact launch jets. Specifically,
it was demonstrated that their accretion-outflow cycle is analogous to that of
their higher mass cousins — the X-ray Binaries (XRBs). Subsequent observations
of the CV SS Cygni confirmed this and have consistently shown radio flaring
equivalent to that in the XRBs that marks a transient jet. Based on this
finding and the emission properties, several studies have concluded that the
radio emission is most likely from a transient jet. Observations of other CVs,
while not conclusive, are consistent with this interpretation. However, the
issue is not yet settled. Later observations have raised a number of questions
about this model, as well as about potential alternative radio emission
mechanisms. CVs are non-relativistic and many have well-determined distances;
these properties would make them ideal candidates with which to address many of
our outstanding questions about fundamental jet physics. Here we review the
case for jets in CVs, discuss the outstanding questions and issues, and outline
the future work necessary to conclusively answer the question of whether CVs
launch jets.
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