The Be/X-ray transient 4U 0115+63/V635 Cassiopeiae. I. A consistent model

We present photometry and high SNR spectroscopy in the classification region of V635 Cas, the optical counterpart to the transient X-ray pulsar 4U 0115+63, taken at a time when the circumstellar envelope had disappeared. V635 Cas is classified as a B0.2Ve star at a distance of 7-8 kpc. We use the physical parameters derived from these observations and the orbit derived from X-ray observations to elaborate a model of the system based on the theory of decretion discs around Be stars. We show that the disc surrounding the Be star is truncated by the tidal/resonant interaction with the neutron star and cannot be in a steady state. This explains many of the observed properties of 4U 0115+63. In particular, because of this effect, under normal circumstances the neutron star cannot accrete from the disc, which explains the lack of regular type I outbursts from the source.