arXiv subjects

Min-Yu Li

Publications and source records attributed to Min-Yu Li.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Eclipse Properties and Superhump Evolution in the SU UMa-Type Dwarf Nova Z Cha

The advent of large-scale time-domain surveys provides both opportunities and challenges for understanding accretion disk evolution in cataclysmic variables (CVs). Using high-cadence photometry from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), we investigate the eclipsing SU UMa-type dwarf nova Z Cha. Leveraging eclipses as a natural probe, we examine the evolution of the accretion disk through variations in eclipse depth, O--C of eclipse minima, and positive superhump (PSH) amplitude. During superoutbursts, all three quantities exhibit quasi-periodic modulations with a common period of $\sim$2 days, consistent with the precession period of an eccentric disk. We interpret these correlated variations as evidence of an eccentric, precessing disk: O--C traces the periodic shift of the system's brightness center, while eclipse depth and PSH amplitude vary with the orientation of the disk bulge relative to the line of sight. In quiescence (Sectors 13 and 93), PSHs with periods of $\sim$0.0762 days show linearly decreasing amplitudes and periods, indicating gradual shrinkage of the eccentric disk and a slowing precession. Remarkably, a coherent signal with a period of $\sim$0.0729~days ($\epsilon^{-}\approx-0.02$) appears in the same quiescent intervals. This signal may represent negative superhumps (NSHs) coexisting with PSHs, although an orbital sideband of the PSH cannot presently be excluded with the available data. If confirmed as NSHs, their coexistence with PSHs would challenge the classical tilted-disk model, and could be explained by retrograde apsidal precession of an eccentric disk, where the inner disk precesses retrogradely (NSHs) and the outer disk progradely (PSHs); this interpretation remains to be tested by further observations.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Orbital and Pulsation Analysis of 42 Heartbeat Stars Discovered in TESS Data

Heartbeat stars (HBSs) are ideal laboratories for studying the formation and evolution of binary stars in eccentric orbits and their mutual tidal interactions. We present 42 new HBSs discovered based on TESS-SPOC and QLP data. Their physical parameters have been obtained through modeling with appropriate models. Subsequently, Tidally excited oscillations (TEOs) are detected in ten systems, and their pulsation phases and modes are identified. Most pulsation phases can be explained by the dominant being spherical harmonic degree $l=2$ and azimuthal order $m=0$ or $\pm2$. For TIC 156846634, the harmonic with large deviation ($>3\sigma$) from the expected adiabatic phase can be expected to be a traveling wave or significantly nonadiabatic. The harmonic numbers $n$ = 16 in TIC 184413651 may not be considered as a TEO candidate due to its large deviation ($>2\sigma$) from the adiabatic expectation. Moreover, TIC 92828790 shows no TEOs but exhibits a significant $\gamma$\,Dor-type pulsation. The eccentricity-period ($e-P$) relation also shows a positive correlation between eccentricity and period, as well as the existence of orbital circularization. The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram shows that TESS HBSs have higher temperatures and greater luminosities than Kepler HBSs, possibly due to selection effects. This significantly enhances the detectability of massive HBSs and those containing TEOs.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Heartbeat Stars Recognition Based on Recurrent Neural Networks: Method and Validation

Since the variety of their light curve morphologies, the vast majority of the known heartbeat stars (HBSs) have been discovered by manual inspection. Machine learning, which has already been successfully applied to the classification of variable stars based on light curves, offers another possibility for the automatic detection of HBSs. We propose a novel feature extraction approach for HBSs. First, the orbital frequencies are calculated automatically according to the Fourier spectra of the light curves. Then, the amplitudes of the first 100 harmonics are extracted. Finally, these harmonics are normalized as feature vectors of the light curve. A training data set of synthetic light curves is constructed using ELLC, and their features are fed into recurrent neural networks (RNNs) for supervised learning, with the expected output being the eccentricity of these light curves. The performance of the RNNs is evaluated using a test data set of synthetic light curves, achieving 95$\%$ accuracy. When applied to known HBSs from the OGLE, Kepler, and TESS surveys, the networks achieve an average accuracy of 86$\%$. This method successfully identifies four new HBSs within the eclipsing binary catalog of Kirk et al. The use of orbital harmonics as features for HBSs proves to be a practical approach that significantly reduces the computational cost of neural networks. RNNs show excellent performance in recognizing this type of time series data. This method not only allows efficient identification of HBSs but can also be extended to recognize other types of periodic variable stars.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

Superoutbursts and Positive Superhumps Occurred During the Standstill of a Z Cam-type Dwarf Nova

Dwarf novae are semi-detached binaries, where a white dwarf accretes material from a cool main-sequence companion via an accretion disk, and are known for their intermittent outbursts, making them key systems for studying accretion physics. The accumulation of large survey datasets has challenged traditional models, which assumed that the disk remains hot and cannot produce superoutbursts during the standstill of Z Cam-type dwarf nova and that superoutbursts require a mass ratio of $ q = M_2/M_1 \leq 0.25 - 0.33 $. Here we report the detection of superoutbursts and positive superhumps (PSHs) during a standstill in the Z Cam-type star AT Cnc with a mass ratio larger than 0.33. Notably, the PSHs evolve gradually before the superoutburst begins, suggesting that an eccentric, precessing disk forms first, with the superoutburst occurring as the disk radius continues to expand. These findings provide the first detailed observational evidence of superoutbursts and PSHs occurring during standstill, offering important new insights into the classification of dwarf novae and the underlying mechanisms of outbursts

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

Evolutionary states and triplicity of four massive semi-detached binaries with long-term decreasing orbital periods in the LMC

The massive semi-detached binary with a long-term decreasing orbital period may involve a rapid mass-transfer phase in Case A, and thus they are good astrophysical laboratories for investigating the evolution of massive binary stars. In this work, by using the long-term observational light curves from the OGLE project and other data in the low-metallicity LMC, four semi-detached massive binaries with long-term decreases in the orbital periods are detected from 165 EB-type close binaries. It is found that the more massive component in S07798 is filling its Roche lobe where the period decrease is caused by mass transfer from the primary to the secondary. However, the other three (S03065, S12631, S16873) are semi-detached binaries with a lobe-filling secondary where the mass transfer between the components should cause the period to increase if the angular momentum is conservative. The long-term period decreases in these three systems may be caused by the angular momentum loss. Additionally, the orbital periods of three systems (S03065, S07798, S16873) are detected to show cyclic variation with periods shorter than 11 years, which can be plausibly explained by the presence of close-in third bodies in these massive binaries. Based on all of these results, it is suggested that the detected four semi-detached binaries almost have multiplicity. The companion stars are crucial for the origin and evolution of these massive close binaries.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

A New IW And-Type Star: Karachurin 12 with Tilted Disks and Diverse cycles

The IW And-type phenomenon in cataclysmic variables presents a significant challenge to the accretion disk instability model. Using photometric data from the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae, the Zwicky Transient Facility, and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, we identify Karachurin 12 as a new non-eclipsing IW And-type object with a cycle period of 35.69(3) days. We also report for the first time that Karachurin 12 is a negative superhump (NSH) system featuring a precessing tilted disks, with precession, orbital, and NSH periods of 4.9588(2) days, 0.3168895(13) days, and 0.2979861(8) days, respectively. Our analysis, using dips as index and NSHs as probe, reveals diverse cycle patterns in Karachurin 12, with NSH amplitude varying throughout the cycle. These findings offer new insights for studying tilted disks and the IW And-type phenomenon. The mass-transfer burst model has difficulty explaining the observed variations in NSH amplitude, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the origin of the mass transfer burst. Meanwhile, the tilted thermally unstable disk model indicates a possible connection to the IW And-type phenomenon, but it also struggles to account for the detailed variations in Karachurin 12. Therefore, a wider range of factors must be considered to fully understand the complex changes in Karachurin 12.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

Five New Heartbeat Star Systems with Tidally Excited Oscillations Discovered Based on TESS Data

Heartbeat stars (HBSs) with tidally excited oscillations (TEOs) are ideal astrophysical laboratories for studying the internal properties of the systems. In this paper, five new HBSs exhibiting TEOs are discovered using TESS photometric data. The orbital parameters are derived using a corrected version of Kumar et al.'s model based on the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method. The TEOs in these objects are examined, and their pulsation phases and modes are identified. The pulsation phases of the TEOs in TIC 266809405, TIC 266894805, and TIC 412881444 are consistent with the dominant $l=2$, $m=0$, or $\pm2$ spherical harmonic. For TIC 11619404, although the TEO phase is close to the $m=+2$ mode, the $m = 0$ mode cannot be excluded because of the low inclination in this system. The TEO phase in TIC 447927324 shows a large deviation ($>2\sigma$) from the adiabatic expectations, suggesting that it is expected to be a traveling wave rather than a standing wave. In addition, these TEOs occur at relatively low orbital harmonics, and we cautiously suggest that this may be an observational bias. These objects are valuable sources for studying the structure and evolution of eccentricity orbit binaries and extending the TESS HBS catalog with TEOs.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

Twenty-three New Heartbeat Star Systems Discovered Based on TESS Data

Heartbeat stars (HBSs) are ideal astrophysical laboratories to study the formation and evolution of binary stars in eccentric orbits and the internal structural changes of their components under strong tidal action. We discover 23 new HBSs based on TESS photometric data. The orbital parameters, including orbital period, eccentricity, orbital inclination, argument of periastron, and epoch of periastron passage of these HBSs are derived by using a corrected version of Kumar et al.'s model based on the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method. The preliminary results show that these HBSs have orbital periods in the range from 2.7 to 20 days and eccentricities in the range from 0.08 to 0.70. The eccentricity-period relation of these objects shows a positive correlation between eccentricity and period, and also shows the existence of orbital circularization. The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram shows that the HBSs are not all located in a particular area. The distribution of the derived parameters suggests a selection bias within the TESS survey towards massive HBSs with shorter orbital periods, higher temperatures and luminosities. These objects are a very useful source to study the structure and evolution of eccentricity orbit binaries and to extend the TESS HBS catalog.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

Tilted Disk Precession and Negative Superhumps in HS 2325+8205: A Multi-Window Analysis

Tilted disk precession exists in different objects. Negative superhumps (NSHs) in cataclysmic variable stars (CVs) are believed to arise from the interaction between the reverse precession of a tilted disk and the streams from the secondary star.Utilizing TESS photometry, we present a comprehensive investigation into the tilted disk precession and NSHs in the dwarf nova (DN) HS 2325+8205, employing eclipse minima, eclipse depths, NSH frequencies, and NSH amplitudes and the correlation between them as the windows. We identified NSHs with a period of 0.185671(17) days in HS 2325+8205. The NSH frequency exhibits variability with a period of 3.943(9) days, akin to the tilted disk precession period validated in novae-like stars (NLs, SDSS J0812) and intermediate polars (IPs, TV Col).The O-C of eclipse minima were similarly found to vary cyclically in period 4.135(5) days, characterized by a faster rise than fall. Furthermore, the NSH amplitude exhibits complex and diverse variations, which may be linked to changes in the disk radius, mass transfer rate, and the apparent area of the hot spot. For the first time in DNe, we observe bi-periodic variations in eclipse depth (P1= 4.131(4) d and P2= 2.065(2) d ~ Pprec/2), resembling those seen in IPs, suggesting that variations with P2 are not attributable to an accretion curtain, as previously suspected. Moreover, NSH amplitude and eclipse depth decrease with increasing NSH frequency, while NSH amplitude correlates positively with eclipse depth.These complex variations observed across multiple observational windows provide substantial evidence for understanding of tilted disk precession and NSHs.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

KIC 7914906: An Eclipsing Heartbeat Star with Tidally Excited Oscillations and Gamma Doradus/Delta Scuti Hybrid Pulsations

We present the eclipsing Heartbeat Star KIC 9704906 with tidally excited oscillations (TEOs) and gamma Doradus/delta Scuti hybrid pulsations. The derived parameters show that it has an orbital period of $P$=8.7529108(1) days, a high eccentricity of $e$=0.467(3), and a high inclination of $i$=78$^{\circ}$.81(6). The mass ratio $q$=0.981(5), the relative radii (radius divided by semi-major axis) $r_1$=0.0639(2), and $r_2$=0.0715(4) indicate that the secondary component has a less mass and a larger radius, and may have evolved off the main sequence. The eight derived TEO candidates, $n$ = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 40, and 44 harmonics, are consistent with or close to the dominant spherical harmonic $l=2$, $m=0$, or $\pm2$, assuming that the spin and orbital axes are aligned, and the pulsations are adiabatic and standing waves. We also identify ten independent frequency candidates, but one of them, $\mathit{f_{7}}$, is more like a modulation of a quasi-periodic signal and the orbits. According to the g-mode frequencies, we find that the rotation period of one component is 11.52(29) days. Although the masses and radii cannot be further constrained due to the lack of sufficient high-precision spectra, the fascinating phenomena in the Fourier spectra are evident and valuable in this system.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

Pulsation Phases and Mode Identification of Tidally Excited Oscillations in Fourteen Kepler Heartbeat Stars

Tidally excited oscillations (TEOs) in Heartbeat Stars (HBSs) are an essential probe of the internal properties of the systems, but their potential has yet to be fully exploited. Based on the orbital parameters of TEO candidates from our previous works, we identify the pulsation phases and amplitudes of TEOs in fourteen Kepler HBSs. Most pulsation phases of most systems can be explained by the dominant being $l=2$, $m=0$, or $\pm2$ spherical harmonic, assuming that the spin and orbital axes are aligned, and the pulsations are adiabatic and standing waves. The largest deviation ($>6\sigma$) occurs in KIC 8459354, which can be explained by the spin-orbit misalignment, and KIC 5877364 has a similar scenario. For KIC 11122789, almost half of the harmonics show large deviations; we cautiously suggest that these harmonics may not be considered TEO candidates. A similar scenario also exists in KIC 6290740. This phases and mode identification approach can also be used inversely to verify the TEO candidates derived by the Fourier analysis. Furthermore, the harmonics with large deviations ($>2\sigma$) in KIC 4377638, KIC 5090937, and KIC 11403032 can be expected to be travelling waves rather than standing waves. In addition, we also suggest that the apsidal motion could cause large deviations in TEO phases from theoretical values.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

A New Window for Studying Intermediate Polars and Tilted Accretion Disk Precession

TV Col is a long-period eclipsing intermediate polar (IPs) prototype star for the negative superhump (NSH) system. We investigate the eclipse minima, eclipse depth, and NSH amplitude based on TESS photometry. Using the same analytical method as SDSS J081256.85+191157.8, we find periodic variations of the O-C for eclipse minima and NSH amplitudes with periods of 3.939(25) d and 3.907(30) d, respectively. The periodic variation of the NSH amplitude of TV Col confirms that periodic NSH amplitude changes in response to the tilted disk precession may be universal, which is another evidence that the origin of the NSHs is related to the tilted disk precession. We suggest that the NSH amplitude variation may be similar to the superorbital signal, coming from the periodic change in visual brightness of the energy released by streams touching the tilted disk with tilted disk precession. Finally, we find for the first time that the eclipse depth exhibits bi-periodic variations with periods of P1 = 3.905(11) d and P2 = 1.953(4) d, respectively. P2 is about half of P1 and the disk precession period (P1~ Pprec ~ 2 * P2). We suggest that P1 may come from the periodic change in the brightness of the eclipse center due to tilted disk precession, while P2 may come from two accretion curtains precessing together with the tilted disk, but more verification and discussion are necessary. The discovery of bi-periodic variations in eclipse depth provides a new window for studying IPs and tilted disk precession.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

Nine New Cataclysmic Variable Stars with Negative Superhumps

Negative superhumps (NSHs) are signals a few percent shorter than the orbital period of a binary star and are considered to originate from the reverse precession of the tilted disk. Based on TESS photometry, we find nine new cataclysmic variable stars (CVs) with NSHs. Three (ASAS J1420, TZ Per, and V392 Hya) of these stars similar to AH Her still have NSHs during dwarf nova outbursts, and the NSH amplitude varies with the outburst. The variation in the radius of the accretion disk partially explains this phenomenon. However, it does not explain the rebound of the NSH amplitude after the peak of the outburst and the fact that the NSH amplitude of the quiescence is sometimes not the largest, and it is necessary to combine the disk instability model (DIM) and add other ingredients. Therefore, we suggest that the variation of NSH amplitude with outburst can be an essential basis for studying the origin of NSHs and improving the DIM. The six ( ASASSN-V J1137, ASASSN-V J0611, 2MASS J0715, LAMOST J0925, ASASSN-17qj, and ZTF18acakuxo) remaining stars have been poorly studied, and for the first time we determine their orbital periods, NSHs and Superorbital signal (SOR) periods. The NSH periods and amplitudes of ASASSN-V J1137 and ASASSN-17qj vary with the SOR, and based on the comparison of the observations with the theory, we suggest that a single change in tilted disk angle does not explain the observations of the SOR and that other ingredients need to be considered as well.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

Evolution of negative superhumps, quasi-periodic oscillations and outbursts in the Z Cam-type dwarf nova AH Her

AH Her is a Z Cam-type dwarf nova with an orbital period of ~ 0.258 d. Dwarf nova oscillations and long-period dwarf nova oscillations have been detected, but no quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) and negative superhumps (NSHs) have been found. We investigated the association between NSHs, QPOs, and outbursts of AH Her based on \textit{TESS} photometry. We find for the first time the NSHs with a period of 0.24497(1) d in AH Her, and trace the variation of the amplitude and period of NSHs with the outburst. The amplitude of the NSHs is most significant at quiescence, weakening as the outburst rises, becoming undetectable at the top, rebounding and weakening at the plateau, and strengthening again as the outburst declines. The variation of the accretion disk radius can explain the NSHs amplitude variation except for the plateau, so we suggest that the relationship between NSHs amplitude and outburst can be used as a window to study the accretion disk instability and the origin of NSHs. In addition, we find the periodic variations in the amplitude, maxima, and shape of the NSHs ranging from 2.33(2) d to 2.68(5) d, which may be related to the precession of the tilted disk. Finally, we find QPOs at the top of AH Her's long outburst with ~ 2800 s similar to HS 2325+8205, suggesting that the presence of QPOs at the top of Z Cam's long outburst may be a general phenomenon

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

Detection of Tidally Excited Oscillations in Kepler Heartbeat Stars

Heartbeat stars (HBSs) with tidally excited oscillations (TEOs) are ideal laboratories for studying the effect of equilibrium and dynamical tides. However, studies of TEOs in Kepler HBSs are rare due to the need for better modeling of the equilibrium tide in light curves. We revisit the HBSs in our previous work and study the TEOs in these HBSs based on the derived orbital parameters that could express the equilibrium tide. We also compile a set of analytic procedures to examine the harmonic and anharmonic TEOs in their Fourier spectra. The TEOs of 21 HBSs have been newly analyzed and presented. Twelve of these HBSs show prominent TEOs (signal-to-noise ratio of the harmonics $S/N \ge 10$). The relation between the orbital eccentricities and the harmonic number of the TEOs shows a positive correlation. The relation between the orbital periods and the harmonic number also shows a positive correlation. Furthermore, the distribution of HBSs with TEOs in the Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram shows that TEOs are more visible in hot stars with surface effective temperatures $T$ $\gtrsim$ 6500 K. These samples may also be valuable targets for future studies of the effect of tidal action in eccentric orbits.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

New evidence for the precession of tilted disk in SDSS J081256.85+191157.8

Super-orbital signals and negative superhumps are thought to be related to the reverse precession of the nodal line in a tilted disk, but the evidence is lacking. Our results provide new evidence for the precession of the tilted disk. Based on the TESS and K2 photometry, we investigate the super-orbital signals, negative superhumps, positive superhumps, and eclipse characteristics of the long-period eclipsing cataclysmic variable star SDSS J0812. We find super-orbital signals, negative superhumps, and positive superhumps with periods of 3.0451(5) d, 0.152047(2) d, and 0.174686(7) d, respectively, in the K2 photometry, but all disappear in the TESS photometry, where the positive superhumps are present only in the first half of the same campaign, confirming that none of them is permanently present in SDSS J0812. In addition, we find for the first time a cyclic variation of the O-C of minima, eclipse depth, and negative superhumps amplitudes for 3.045(8) d, 3.040(6) d, and 3.053(8) d in SDSS J0812, respectively, and all reach the maximum at ~ 0.75 precession phases of the tilted disk, which provides new evidence for the precession of the tilted disk. We suggest that the O-C and eclipse depth variations may come from a shift of the brightness center of the precession tilted disk. Our first finding on the periodic variation of negative superhumps amplitude with the super-orbital signals is significant evidence that the origin of negative superhumps is related to the precession of the tilted disk.

astro-ph.SR↗