The S-PLUS 12-band Photometry as a Powerful Tool for Discovery and Classification: Ten Cataclysmic Variables in a Proof-of-concept Study

Abstract

Multiband photometric surveys provide a straightforward way to discover and classify astrophysical objectssystematically, enabling the study of a large number of targets at relatively low cost. Here we introduce analternative approach to select accreting white dwarf (AWD) candidates following their spectral energy distribution,entirely supported by the twelve photometric bands of the Southern Photometric Local Universe Survey (S-PLUS).The method was validated with optical spectroscopic follow-up with the Gemini South telescope, whichunambiguously established ten systems as cataclysmic variables (CVs), alongside Swift X-ray observations of fourof them. Among the ten CVs presented here are those that may be low-luminosity intermediate polars or WZ Sge-type dwarf novae with rare outbursts, two subclasses that can be easily missed in time-domain and X-ray surveys,the two methods currently dominating the discovery of new CVs. Our approach based on S-PLUS provides animportant complementary tool to uncover the total population of CVs and the complete set of its subclasses, whichis an important step toward a full understanding of close binary evolution, including the origin of magnetic fields inwhite dwarfs and the physics of accretion. Finally, we highlight the potential of S-PLUS beyond AWDs, servingother surveys in the characterization of their sources.