A Multi-wavelength Study of Swift J0503.7-2819: a Chimeric magnetic CV

TL;DR

This study characterizes Swift J0503.7-2819 as a nearly synchronous magnetic cataclysmic variable with complex accretion structures, using multi-wavelength data to reveal its low luminosity and unique period ratios, expanding understanding of MCV diversity.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed multi-wavelength analysis of Swift J0503.7-2819, identifying it as an EX Hya-like system with complex accretion, and discusses its place in the evolving taxonomy of magnetic CVs.

Findings

Identified orbital and spin periods consistent with prior reports.

Classified the system as a low-luminosity intermediate polar.

Proposed a ring-like accretion flow structure.

Abstract

We present multi-wavelength temporal and spectral characteristics of a magnetic cataclysmic variable (MCV) Swift J0503.7-2819, using far ultraviolet (FUV) and X-ray data from AstroSat, supplemented with optical data from the Southern African Large Telescope and X-ray data from the XMM-Newton and Swift observatories. The X-ray modulations at 4897.6657 s and 3932.0355 s are interpreted as the orbital ($P_{\Omega}$) and spin ($P_{\omega}$) period, respectively, and are consistent with prior reports. With a spin-orbit period ratio of 0.8 and $P_{\Omega}$ falling below the period gap (2-3 hrs) of CVs, Swift J0503.7-2819 would be the newest addition to the growing population of nearly synchronous MCVs, which we call EX Hya-like systems. Hard X-ray luminosity of $<$ $2.5\times10^{32} erg s^{-1}$, as measured with the Swift Burst Alert Telescope, identifies it to be a low-luminosity intermediate polar, similar to other EX Hya-like systems. The phenomenology of the light curves and the spectral characteristics rule out a purely disc-fed/stream-fed model and instead reveal the presence of complex accretion structures around the white dwarf. We propose a ring-like accretion flow, akin to EX Hya, using period ratio, stability arguments, and observational features. An attempt is made to differentiate between the asynchronous polar/nearly-synchronous intermediate polar nature of Swift J0503.7-2819. Further, we note that with the advent of sensitive surveys, a growing population of MCVs that exhibit characteristics of both polars and intermediate polars is beginning to be identified, likely forming a genealogical link between the two conventional classes of MCVs.