Mixing by Non‐linear Gravity Wave Breaking on a White Dwarf Surface
/ Authors
/ Abstract
We present the results of a simulation of a wind‐driven non‐linear gravity wave breaking on the surface of a white dwarf. The “wind” consists of H/He from an accreted envelope, and the simulation demonstrates that this breaking wave mechanism can produce a well‐mixed layer of H/He with C/O from the white dwarf above the surface. Material from this mixed layer may then be transported throughout the accreted envelope by convection, which would enrich the C/O abundance of the envelope as is expected from observations of novae.
Journal: arXiv: Astrophysics
DOI: 10.1063/1.1518190