Outbursts in ultra-compact AM CVn binaries

TL;DR

This paper investigates outbursts in ultra-compact AM CVn binaries, analyzing observational data and comparing it with disc instability model predictions to understand their outburst properties and test accretion theories.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of outburst characteristics in AM CVn binaries and evaluates the disc instability model against observational data, highlighting areas for further systematic study.

Findings

Recurrence time matches model predictions with some discrepancies

Outburst duration and amplitude depend on observational cadence and filters

AM CVn binaries are valuable for testing accretion disc models

Abstract

AM CVn binaries are the most compact of accreting binaries having orbital periods in the range ~5-70 min. They consist of a white dwarf accreting hydrogen deficient material from a degenerate or semi-degenerate star and are predicted to be amongst the verification sources for future gravitational wave observatories such as LISA. Using the recent catalogue of Green et al (2025) I focus attention on the orbital period range in which outbursts are seen from AM CVn's. I examine in more detail the outburst properties of KL Dra which has an outburst every few months and has many sectors of TESS data as an open resource. Using observational data on the outbursting systems in general, I compare the outburst recurrence time, duration and amplitude as a function of orbital period with the predictions of the disc instability model. The recurrence time is well described, although there is some evidence that the amount of material in the disc at the end of the quiescence phase is less than earlier model assumptions. The distribution of the outburst duration appears to be dependent on the cadence of the observations and how it is defined. Similarly the amplitude distribution is dependent on cadence and the filter, which causes an apparent spread in distribution. Both of these features need to be systematically studied using consistent benchmarks. AM CVn binaries remain an excellent sources to test models which aim to predict the properties of disc accreting systems.