A new soft X-ray spectral model for polars with an application to AM Herculis

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple, physically plausible spectral model for the soft X-ray emission in polars, improving flux estimates and accretion rate calculations by fitting Chandra spectra of AM Her.

Contribution

The paper proposes a new exponential distribution-based spectral model for polars' soft X-ray emission, enhancing accuracy over previous models.

Findings

Better fit to soft X-ray and UV spectra.

More reliable soft X-ray flux measurements.

Improved estimates of accretion rates.

Abstract

We present a simple heuristic model for the time-averaged soft X-ray temperature distribution in the accretion spot on the white dwarf in polars. The model is based on the analysis of the Chandra LETG spectrum of the prototype polar AM Her and involves an exponential distribution of the emitting area vs. blackbody temperature a(T) = a0 exp(-T/T0). With one free parameter besides the normalization, it is mathematically as simple as the single blackbody, but is physically more plausible and fits the soft X-ray and far-ultraviolet spectral fluxes much better. The model yields more reliable values of the wavelength-integrated flux of the soft X-ray component and the implied accretion rate than reported previously.