Thermal limit cycles in supermassive accretion disksInterpretations of the quasi-periodic outbursts of dwarf novae in terms of a thermal-viscous limit cycle mechanism operating in the accretion disk are discussed. Numerical solutions to vertical equilibrium equations are used to show that the limit cycle mechanism should occur in supermassive disks. The mechanism acts as a gate that modulates the rate of accretion reaching small radii, where most of the luminosity is produced. Formulas are derived for the period and outburst luminosity in terms of the black hole mass and the radius at which the unstable zone occurs.
Document ID
19880042578
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Shields, G. A. (Texas, University Austin, United States)
Lin, D. N. C. (California, University Santa Cruz, United States)