Why do some intermediate polars show soft X-ray emission? A survey of XMM-Newton spectra P. A. Evans C. Hellier 2381/18859 https://figshare.le.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Why_do_some_intermediate_polars_show_soft_X-ray_emission_A_survey_of_XMM-Newton_spectra/10113773 We make a systematic analysis of the XMM-Newton X-ray spectra of intermediate polars (IPs) and find that, contrary to the traditional picture, most show a soft blackbody component. We compare the results with those from AM Her stars and deduce that the blackbody emission arises from reprocessing of hard X-rays, rather than from the blobby accretion sometimes seen in AM Hers. Whether an IP shows a blackbody component appears to depend primarily on geometric factors: a blackbody is not seen in those that have accretion footprints that are always obscured by accretion curtains or are only visible when foreshortened on the white-dwarf limb. Thus we argue against previous suggestions that the blackbody emission characterizes a separate subgroup of IPs that are more akin to AM Hers, and develop a unified picture of the blackbody emission in these stars. 2012-10-24 09:06:04 Science & Technology Physical Sciences Astronomy & Astrophysics accretion accretion disks novae cataclysmic variables X-rays : binaries MAGNETIC CATACLYSMIC VARIABLES ACCRETING WHITE-DWARF SPIN PULSE ROSAT OBSERVATIONS FO-AQUARII AO PISCIUM GK-PERSEI PQ GEM MASS EXCESS