Abstract The boundary layer between the accretion disc and white dwarf in non-magnetic cataclysmic variables is the major source of X-rays from these systems. Two modes of X-ray emission exist; at low accretion rates a thermal instability develops in the accreting matter and a hard X-ray emitting corona is formed around the white dwarf; at high accretion rates a cool, very soft X-ray emitting boundary layer is formed. Hard and soft X-ray observations of cataclysmic variables with a boundary layer are described and compared with theory. Emphasis is put on the new insight we have gained from the observations with the EXOSAT observatory.
Accretion disc boundary layers with white dwarfs
Advances in Space Research ; 8 , 2-3 ; 265-272
1988-01-01
8 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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