High-speed circular polarimetry of AM Herculis

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

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Astronomical Photometry, Circular Polarization, Magnetic Stars, Polarimetry, Variable Stars, White Dwarf Stars, Cross Correlation, Data Correlation, Flicker, High Speed, Light Emission, Polarimeters, Power Spectra, Radiant Flux Density

Scientific paper

Circular polarization in AM Her was measured for six hours with 2-sec resolution, and an upper limit is obtained of 0.2% on the semiamplitude of any steady oscillation in the polarization with a period less than 2 minutes. It is concluded that this low limit eliminates fast-rotator models, such as the one suggested by Fabian et al. (1977), as explanations of AM Her. The circular polarization is characterized by strong flickering with time scales greater than 10 sec, and this flickering is correlated with the varying optical flux. This finding indicates that optical flickering occurs near the surface of the white dwarf, but the lack of significant flickering with time scales less than 10 sec and a 30-sec delay between flickers in the flux and in polarization suggest that the optical emission region is more extended than 'thin shock' models predict.

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