Polarization variability arising from clumps in the winds of Wolf–Rayet stars

Li, Q.-K., Cassinelli, J.P., Brown, J.C. and Ignace, R. (2009) Polarization variability arising from clumps in the winds of Wolf–Rayet stars. Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 9(5), pp. 558-576. (doi: 10.1088/1674-4527/9/5/007)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1674-4527/9/5/007

Abstract

Polarimetric and photometric variability of Wolf–Rayet (WR) stars as caused by clumps in the winds is revisited. In our model, which is improved from Li et al., radial expansion of the thickness is accounted for, but we retain dependence on the β velocity law and stellar occultation effects. We again search for parameters that can yield results consistent with observations in regards to the mean polarization , the ratio R = σP/σ<sub>phot</sub> of polarimetric to photometric variability and the volume filling factor f<sub>v</sub>. Clump generation and spatial distribution are randomized by the Monte Carlo method so as to produce clumps which are, in the mean, distributed uniformly in space and have time intervals that obey a Gaussian distribution. The generated clumps move radially outward with a velocity law determined by a β index, and the angular size of clumps is assumed to be fixed. By fitting the observed σP/σ<sub>phot</sub> and the volume filling factor f<sub>v</sub>, clump velocity law index β (~ 2) and clump ejection rate N (~ 1) are inferred, and are found to be well constrained. In addition, the subpeak features of broad emission lines seem to support the clump ejection rate. Meanwhile, the fraction of total mass loss rate that is contained in clumps is obtained by fitting observed polarization. We conclude that this picture of the clumps' properties produces a valuable diagnostic of WR wind structure

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Brown, Professor John
Authors: Li, Q.-K., Cassinelli, J.P., Brown, J.C., and Ignace, R.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics
ISSN:1674-4527

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
465931Solar, stellar and cosmological plasmas: a synthesis of data, modelling and theory.Declan DiverScience & Technologies Facilities Council (STFC)ST/F002149/1Physics and Astronomy