Faraday effect and polarization of the optical emission of magnetic white dwarfs

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Sov. Astron. AJ (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

OSTI ID:6287507

Shibanov, Y A

On the basis of a general analysis of the depolarizing properties of magnetoactive media it is shown that Faraday depolarization is not an obstacle to the escape of linearly polarized radiation from the photosphere of a magnetic white dwarf if the value of the magnetic field at its surface is approx.10/sup 8/ G. In this case the optical emission of the dwarf's photosphere can possess appreciable circular and linear polarizations, the values of which are equal in order of magnitude. A number of general polarization effects are discussed which arise in the propagation of polarized radiation in an arbitrary magnetoactive medium, allowance for which is necessary when interpreting polarimetric observations not only of white dwarfs but also of other astrophysical objects.

• Research Organization: A. F. Ioffe Physicotechnical Institute, Academy of Sciences of the USSR
• OSTI ID: 6287507
• Journal Information: Sov. Astron. AJ (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. Astron. AJ (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 22:6; ISSN SAAJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
DWARF STARS
EMISSION SPECTRA
FARADAY EFFECT
MAGNETIC STARS
PHOTOSPHERE
POLARIZATION
SOLAR ATMOSPHERE
SPECTRA
STARS
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
WHITE DWARF STARS