High-speed spectroscopy and photometry of the interacting binary white dwarf V 803 Cen (AE-1)

High-speed spectroscopy and photometry are presented for the interacting binary white dwarf candidate V803 Cen. The low-state spectrum shows a blue, almost featureless continuum; some weak emission lines may be present. The mean high-state spectrum contains no hydrogen lines and, with the exception of some weak lines possibly due to O II or N II, is dominated by He I lines. The lines are slightly and variably asymmetric, and exhibit peculiar relative strengths. The high-speed photometry shows up to seven harmonics of the fundamental 1611-s oscillation. (author)