Three-Dimensional Model of the Flow Structure in the Asynchronous Polar CD Ind during Magnetic Pole Switching

We performed a three-dimensional numerical MHD simulation of the flow structure in the asynchronous polar CD Ind during the switching phases between the magnetic poles of the accretor—a white dwarf. To account for fast processes, a numerical non-stationary model has been developed. The calculations were performed under the assumption that the magnetic field of the accretor has a shifted dipole configuration. Based on the results of calculations, maps of hot spots on the surface of the accretor and light curves during the magnetic pole switching phases were constructed. We showed that in the adopted configuration of the magnetic field, when the field parameters at the south and north poles are different, the flow structure changes in different ways, depending on which pole the switching takes place. As a consequence, significant differences are also observed in the nature of the change in the light curves at different switching times. This circumstance allows us to hope that a comparison of the observed and synthetic light curves can provide information on the actual configuration of the magnetic field in the system.