Cyclotron emission from inhomogeneous shocks in AM Herculis-type systems

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/166845· OSTI ID:6439028

Wickramasinghe, D T; Ferrario, L

The properties of cyclotron radiation from accretion shocks located above the atmospheres of magnetic white dwarfs are discussed, taking into account the effects of field spread, density and temperature structure, and geometrical extension. The models are an improvement on previous point-source models and have characteristics that are in better overall agreement with the properties of AM Herculis-type systems. The flat energy distributions seen in some AM Her-type systems are readily explained in terms of a model in which the optical depth parameter varies across the emission region in response to differences in the accretion rate. The lack of harmonic structure in the intensity spectra of most AM Her-type systems is probably a consequence of field spread in an extended emission region. It is also shown that the asymmetries seen in phase-dependent polarization curves can be explained when allowance is made for the displacement of emission regions from the poles. 28 references.

• Research Organization: Australian National Univ. Canberra; Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories, Canberra (Australia)
• OSTI ID: 6439028
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 334; ISSN ASJOA
• 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
BINARY STARS
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
CYCLOTRON RADIATION
DWARF STARS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MAGNETIC STARS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
POLARIZATION
RADIATIONS
SHOCK WAVES
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS
STARS
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
WHITE DWARF STARS