High-resolution UVES/VLT spectra of white dwarfs observed for the ESO SN Ia Progenitor Survey. III. DA white dwarfs

TL;DR

This paper presents a detailed catalog and analysis of 615 hydrogen-dominated DA white dwarfs from the ESO SPY survey, including new detections, classifications, and magnetic field identifications, based on high-resolution spectra.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive spectroscopic catalog of DA white dwarfs from the SPY survey, including new classifications and magnetic detections.

Findings

615 DA white dwarfs analyzed, with 187 new detections.

10 magnetic DAs identified, 4 are new.

46 DA+dM binary systems found, 10 are new.

Abstract

The ESO Supernova Ia Progenitor Survey (SPY) took high-resolution spectra of more than 1000 white dwarfs and pre-white dwarfs. About two thirds of the stars observed are hydrogen-dominated DA white dwarfs. Here we present a catalog and detailed spectroscopic analysis of the DA stars in the SPY. Atmospheric parameters effective temperature and surface gravity are determined for normal DAs. Double-degenerate binaries, DAs with magnetic fields or dM companions, are classified and discussed. The spectra are compared with theoretical model atmospheres using a chi^2 fitting technique. Our final sample contains 615 DAs, which show only hydrogen features in their spectra, although some are double-degenerate binaries. 187 are new detections or classifications. We also find 10 magnetic DAs (4 new) and 46 DA+dM pairs (10 new).