Polarization variablity among Wolf-Rayet stars. IV - A complete lack of circular polarization in the optical continuum

Details Polarization variablity among Wolf-Rayet stars. IV - A complete lack of circular polarization in the optical continuum Polarization variablity among Wolf-Rayet stars. IV - A complete lack of circular polarization in the optical continuum

Aug 1989

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1989apj...343..902r&link_type=abstract

Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 343, Aug. 15, 1989, p. 902-908. Research supported by NSERC.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

12

Binary Stars, Circular Polarization, Optical Polarization, Stellar Radiation, Wolf-Rayet Stars, Electron Scattering, Linear Polarization, O Stars

Scientific paper

Quasi-simultaneous blue and red, broadband optical monitoring in linear and circular polarization and in intensity has been carried out over an interval of three weeks for several Wolf-Rayet stars that show relatively large Delta P variations in linear polarization. No significant varying Delta V component of circular polarization is detected in any of these stars. The lower upper limit Delta V/Delta P implies that the intrinsic linearly polarized light which does vary cannot be produced by electrons gyrating in a magnetic field, unless they are ultrarelativistic - a rather unlikely situation. The low mean circular polarization typically observed is probably interstellar in origin. Lack of periodicity in the observed variations of linear polarization implies that even weak magnetic field loops are unlikely to be involved in confining pockets of wind plasma. The observed linear polarization variations are related mainly to electron scattering.

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