Photometric amplitudes and phases of nonradial oscillation in rotating stars

Abstract

Effects of rotational mode coupling on photometric parameters of stellar oscillations are studied. At moderate rotation rates, a strong coupling between modes of spherical harmonic degree, $\ell$, differing by 2 and of the same azimuthal order, $m$, takes place if the frequencies are close. This is a common situation amongst main sequence pulsators. Numerical results for a sequence of $\beta$ Cephei star models are reported for the two- and three-mode couplings. One consequence of mode coupling is that modes of higher degree should be considered in photometric mode identification. Modes with nominal degree $\ell>2$ acquire substantial $\ell\le2$ components and therefore are more likely to reach detectable amplitudes. Coupled mode positions in the amplitude ratio - phase difference diagrams, based on multicolour photometry, become both aspect- and $m$-dependent. Examples of the mode path in the diagram with varying aspect are given. The diagrams remain a useful tool for mode identification in rotating stars but the tool must be used with care.