Flux and polarization spectra for different scattering strengths compared to the unscattered case in a simplified setup with B_p = 5 × 10¹³ G, kT = 0.6 keV, R = 10 km, a hot spot at (θ_s, ϕ_s) = (65°, 30°), viewing angle θ = 25°, and varying ζ ≡ ξ_τ/β₀ = 0.8, 2.5, and 7.0 (see Equations (2) and (16)). Left and middle: the relative O-mode and X-mode fluxes. Right: the corresponding linear polarization degree P_L(ω) as a function of energy.