The Eccentric Disk Model for Superhumps

Abstract

An important goal of the disk instability model is to explain the superhump phenomenon. Superhumps are features found in the light curves of binary systems, characterized by a period slightly different from the binary orbital period. In cases where the superhump period is longer than the orbital period (positive superhumps), they have been interpreted as arising from an eccentric, precessing disk. This paper reviews the theory and simulations that indicate that the disk's eccentricity originates from a dynamical instability at the 3:1 resonance. The instability is described by a mode-coupling process involving the interaction of the disk eccentricity with the binary tidal potential. This instability provides critical constraints on the nature of the disk turbulence that enables the disk to reach this resonance.