Pulsations in white dwarfs: Selected topics

Abstract

This paper presents a very brief overview of the observed properties of g-mode pulsations in variable white dwarfs. We then discuss a few selected topics: Excitation mechanisms (kappa-and convection-mechanisms), and briefly the effect of a strong magnetic field (∼ 1 MG) on g-modes as recently found in a hot DQ (carbon-rich atmosphere) white dwarf. In the discussion of excitation mechanisms, a simple interpretation for the convection mechanism is given. © 2013 Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences.