THE X-RAY-SPECTRUM OF THE POLAR BY CAM

ASCA and GINGA X-ray data from the magnetic Cataclysmic Variable BY Ca m show that the spectrum is strongly affected by complex absorption, p robably from the pre-shock accretion column. The intrinsic emission fr om the shock is significantly better described by the theoretically ex pected multi-temperature structure rather than a single temperature pl asma, but with cyclotron cooling probably suppressing the highest temp erature bremsstrahlung components. Reflection of this multi-temperatur e emission from the white dwarf surface is also significantly detected . All these spectral complexities are required to gain a physically se lf-consistent picture of the X-ray spectrum.