Reflection effect in close binaries. III - Distribution of radiation incident from an extended source

Abstract

The effects of irradiation from an extended surface of the secondary component on the atmosphere of the primary are studied. Consideration is given to an isothermal and purely scattering medium. The resultant radiation field due to irradiation from an extended surface and self-radiation is different from that due to irradiation from a point source and self-radiation. In the case of the point source the middle layers of the exposed part of the atmosphere show maximum reflection, while in the former case the reflection gradually decreases from the center of the component towards the surface of the outermost layers of the atmosphere. The reflection effect appears to be strongly dependent on the density distribution of the electrons.