Infrared observations of the cataclysmic variable RW Tri

Light curves are presented of the eclipsing cataclysmic binary RW Tri at near-infrared wavelengths. These show a deep primary minimum whose depth decreases to longer wavelengths, and a shallow secondary minimum, not seen at optical wavelengths, at phase 0.5. Consideration of the infrared colours in and out of eclipse, and of the duration of the eclipses leads to a self-consistent model in which the components are a K5 dwarf and a massive white dwarf surrounded by an optically thick disc of substantial physical thickness. There is no evidence for a bright spot. The outer edge of the disc has a temperature of 6000-8000 K. Further development of this model is hampered by the absence of concurrent optical data. (author)