Abstract

We have examined VTL/ISAAC 1-2.5 ?m spectroscopy of a sample of short-orbital-period cataclysmic variables which are candidates for harbouring substellar companions. We provide descriptions of the infrared spectra of El Psc, V834 Cen, WX Cet, VW Hyi, TY PsA and BW Scl. Fitting of the infrared (IR) spectral energy distribution (SED) was performed by comparing the observed spectrum with late-type templates. Absorption features of the secondary star were detected in El Psc and V834 Cen, consistent with dwarf secondaries of spectral type K 5 ± 1 and M 8 ± 0.5, respectively. In addition, we report the first detection of the secondary star in VW Hyi. The SED in this case is well matched by an L 0 ± 2 type secondary contributing 23 per cent to the overall flux at ?= 1.15 ?m. This is a surprising result for a system with a relatively high mass transfer rate. We discuss the implication of our findings on the current scenarios for cataclysmic variable star evolution.