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| Paper: |
Probing the Circumstellar Disk Structure of Classical Be Stars with Polarimetry |
| Volume: |
464, Circumstellar Dynamics at High Resolution |
| Page: |
125 |
| Authors: |
Halonen, R. J.; Jones, C. E. |
| Abstract: |
Our general understanding of classical Be stars lacks a clear physical
description of the formation and dissipation of the circumstellar disks of gas
surrounding these objects. Observations of these stars reveal a non-zero
linear polarization which originates from the scattering of light in the
non-spherically symmetric circumstellar environment. The wavelength-dependence
of this intrinsic feature of classical Be stars can be useful for tracing the
density distribution of the gas. Consequently, the polarimetric properties of
classical Be stars can provide important diagnostics in the computation of
theoretical models of the disks. These models can improve our understanding of
disk physics. We combine the use of a new multiple scattering code with a
non-LTE radiative transfer code to examine the spectropolarimetric properties
of the linear polarization produced in classical Be stars. Using these
analyses, we illustrate the possibilities for high-resolution polarimetry of
classical Be stars in investigating the evolution of the physical structure of
the circumstellar disks. |
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