Polarized radiation from hot plasmas and applications to AM Herculis binaries

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/158736· OSTI ID:6335657

Chanmugam, G; Dulk, G A

Absorption coefficients for the ordinary and extraordinary modes are calculated for cyclotron radiation from hot plasmas with temperatures between 0.2 and 20 keV. The results are applied to the accretion columns of the AM Herculis binaries. The linear and circular polarization properties of the observed polarized light can be understood if the emission is at approximately the fifth harmonic of the cyclotron frequency. The magnetic fields in these systems are deduced to be roughly 4 x 10/sup 7/ gauss.

• Research Organization: Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, National Bureau of Standards and University of Colorado
• OSTI ID: 6335657
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 244:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700108 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABSORPTION
BINARY STARS
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
CYCLOTRON FREQUENCY
CYCLOTRON HARMONICS
CYCLOTRON RADIATION
DWARF STARS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HARMONICS
HOT PLASMA
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC STARS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OSCILLATIONS
PLASMA
POLARIZATION
RADIATIONS
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS
STARS
STELLAR RADIATION
WHITE DWARF STARS