A Possible Mechanism for the Radio Emission of Polars

Abstract

A means of generating the radio emission of polars is proposed, based on cyclotron radiation of thermal electrons in a fluctuating magnetic field. The source of these fluctuations is Alfvén turbulence. Expressions for the radiation spectrum and degree of polarization are obtained. The radio flux from the accretion flow is computed, using the polar AM Her as an example. The proposed model for the emission can reproduce the observed fluxes in the VLA frequency range with realistic plasma characteristics.