Evolution of the Disk in the Be Binary Δ Scorpii Probed During Three Periastron Passages

We examine the evolution of the disk surrounding the Be star in the highly eccentric 10.8 yr binary system δ Scorpii over its three most recent periastron passages. V -band and B − V photometry, along with H α spectroscopy, are combined with a new set of extensive multiband polarimetry data to produce a detailed comparison of the disk's physical conditions during the time periods surrounding each closest approach of the secondary star. We use the three-dimensional Monte Carlo radiative transfer code HDUST and a smoothed particle hydrodynamics code to support our observations with models of disk evolution, discussing the behavior of the H α and He i 6678 Å lines, V -band magnitude, and polarization degree. We compare the characteristics of the disk immediately before each periastron passage to create a baseline for the unperturbed disk. We find that the extent of the H α emitting region increased between each periastron passage, and that transient asymmetries in the disk become more pronounced with each successive encounter. Asymmetries of the H α and He i 6678 Å lines in 2011 indicate that perturbations propagate inward through the disk near periastron. When the disk’s direction of orbit is opposite to that of the secondary, the parameters used in our models do not produce spiral density enhancements in the H α emitting region because the tidal interaction time is short due to the relative velocities of the disk particles with the secondary. The effects of the secondary star on the disk are short-lived and the disk shows independent evolution between each periastron event.