Rms-flux relation and fast optical variability simulations of the nova-like system MV Lyr

TL;DR

This study models the complex optical variability of the nova-like system MV Lyr using a statistical disc turbulence model, successfully reproducing observed power spectra, rms-flux relations, and flux distributions, providing insights into accretion processes.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel statistical model of disc turbulence that explains the observed variability features of MV Lyr, including multiple break frequencies and flux relations.

Findings

Successfully modeled two lowest break frequencies with typical disc parameters.

Replicated the high-frequency break with a smaller disc and high alpha viscosity.

Simulated light curves exhibit linear rms-flux relation and log-normal flux distribution.

Abstract

The stochastic variability (flickering) of the nova-like system (subclass of cataclysmic variable) MV Lyr yields a complicated power density spectrum with four break frequencies. Scaringi et al. (2012) analysed high-cadence Kepler data of MV Lyr, taken almost continuously over 600 days, giving the unique opportunity to study multicomponent Power Density Spectra (PDS) over a wide frequency range. We modelled this variability with our statistical model based on disc angular momentum transport via discrete turbulent bodies with an exponential distribution of the dimension scale. Two different models were used, a full disc (developed from the white dwarf to the outer radius of ~10^10 cm) and a radially thin disc (a ring at a distance of ~10^10 cm from the white dwarf) that imitates an outer disc rim. We succeed in explaining the two lowest observed break frequencies assuming typical values for a disc radius of 0.5 and 0.9 times the primary Roche lobe and an alpha parameter of 0.1-0.4. The highest observed break frequency was also modelled, but with a rather small accretion disc with radius of 0.3 times the primary Roche lobe and a high alpha value of 0.9 consistent with previous findings by Scaringi (2014). Furthermore, the simulated light curves exhibit the typical linear rms-flux proportionality linear relation and the typical log-normal flux distribution. As the turbulent process is generating fluctuations in mass accretion that propagate through the disc, this confirms the general knowledge that the typical rms-flux relation is mainly generated by these fluctuations. In general a higher rms is generated by a larger amount of superposed flares which is compatible with a higher mass accretion rate expressed by a larger flux.