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E. Mason, S.B. Howell (PSI & Univ. WY), W. Skidmore (Univ. St. Andrews)
Optical and Infra-Red spectra of WZ Sge are analyzed via Doppler and radial velocity techniques. Results converge towards a general picture of a non-symmetric, non-uniform accretion disk, which is optically thin throughout, but optically thick at the impact region.\\ We present for the first time, Ratioed Doppler maps which provide two-dimensional optical depth information for the accretion disk.\\ We also present radial velocity curves computed from optical and IR accretion disk emission lines and discuss the inconsistent set of system parameters determined. We explain our result as due to hot spot emission biasing the accretion disk emission line profiles and show that this explanation is consistent with the results from the Ratioed Doppler maps. We also present observational evidence for a correlation between the optical depth and phase offset and/or outburst characteristics in the quiescent accretion disk of 11 additional CVs. \\ The accretion disk size and evolution for WZ Sge are presented and discussed within the framework of current dwarf-novae outburst theories.
We acknowledge partial support from the University of Wyoming office of research, NSF grant AST 98-19770, and NASA Theory grant GSFC-070.
The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: elena@psi.edu