Linear polarization in binaries with grey atmosphere I. Conservative Rayleigh scattering

Abstract

This paper presents a method for calculating linear polarization from binaries whose surfaces are distorted due to tidal and rotational forces. The atmospheres in stars are grey, plane-parallel and pure scattering. The polarization as high as 3.51% is calculated for a single star and 2.89% for a binary with a mass ration q=0.3. The method has been applied to some early type binaries to calculate polarizations in them.