The X-ray Properties of Cataclysmic Variables

Abstract

Cataclysmic Variables (CVs) are a distinct class of X-ray binaries transferring mass from a donor star to a compact star accretor, a white dwarf. They constitute a laboratory for accretion physics, mechanisms and disk theory together with dynamics of outflows and interaction with surrounding medium. Our understanding of the X-ray emission from CVs has shown substantial improvement in the last decade with the instruments on board present X-ray telescopes. We have a better understanding of the boundary layers and the accretion shocks using high sensitivity instruments and/or grating X-ray spectroscopy attaining high spectral resolution yielding temperature and velocity diagnostics. In addition, high time resolution utilizes accretion mode diagnostics with characterization of the variability of the gas flow in discs. Here, I briefly review the X-ray properties of CVs with a highlight on Intermediate Polars, Dwarf Novae and Classical/Recurrent Novae.

9 pages, 5 figures, proceedings of "The Golden Age of Cataclysmic Variables and Related Objects", F. Giovannelli & L. Sabau-Graziati (eds.), Mem. SAIt. Vol. 83 N. 2, in press