Disk instability and outburst properties of the intermediate polar GK Persei

The present study reproduces the observed recurrence time scales and duration of the 1981-1989 dwarf nova-type outbursts of the intermediate polar GK Per with a model based on the time-dependent disk instability model. The model gives approximately symmetric (type B, inside-out) outbursts, as observed. This agreement suggests that the outbursts cannot result from a mass transfer instability. A modest variation of the mass transfer rate from the companion is sufficient to account for the variable outburst recurrence time scale. Contamination from the companion and the hot spot dominate the light from the disk except during a bright outburst. An intermediate temperature stagnation wave followed by a full heating wave is consistent with the observed rapid rise and double-peaked structure in the UV and optical light curves. It is argued that the hard X-ray efficiency is dime-dependent, and it is found to be much smaller in outburst than in quiescence.