Spectropolarimetry and Infrared Photometry of Magnetic White Dwarfs: Vacuum Polarization Effect or Magnetic CIA?

We present brief review of two probable physical mechanisms that can explain the results of photometric and spectropolarimetric observations of magnetic white dwarfs: vacuum polarization effect into a strong magnetic field and, so-called, magnetic collision induced absorption (magnetic CIA). Both mechanisms provide observed rotation of polarization ellipse and suppression of spectral energy distributions. The results of spectropolarimetric observations of magnetic white dwarfs made at Russian BTA-6m and the results of the near infrared photometric observations with Russian-Italian AZT-24 telescope located at Campo Imperatore are also presented.