A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF Hα PROFILES OF Be STARS

Abstract

We present a set of theoretical Hα emission-line profiles of Be stars, created by systematically varying model input parameters over a wide range of accepted values. Models were generated with a non-LTE radiative transfer code that incorporates a non-isothermal disk structure and a solar-type chemical composition. The theoretical Hα emission-line profiles were compared to a large set of Be star spectra with the aim of reproducing their global characteristics. We find that the observed profile shapes cannot be used to uniquely determine the inclination angle of Be star+disk systems. Drastically different profile shapes arise at a given inclination angle as a direct result of the state of the gas, and self-consistent disk physical conditions are therefore crucial for interpreting the observations.