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We analyze the intrinsic polarization of two classical Be stars in theprocess of losing their circumstellar disks via a Be to normal B startransition originally reported by Wisniewski et al. During each of fivepolarimetric outbursts which interrupt these disk-loss events, we find that theratio of the polarization across the Balmer jump (BJ+/BJ-) versus the V-bandpolarization traces a distinct loop structure as a function of time. Since thepolarization change across the Balmer jump is a tracer of the innermost diskdensity whereas the V-band polarization is a tracer of the total scatteringmass of the disk, we suggest such correlated loop structures in Balmer jump-Vband polarization diagrams (BJV diagrams) provide a unique diagnostic of theradial distribution of mass within Be disks. We use the 3-D Monte Carloradiation transfer code HDUST to reproduce the observed clockwise loops simplyby turning "on/off" the mass decretion from the disk. We speculate thatcounter-clockwise loop structures we observe in BJV diagrams might be caused bythe mass decretion rate changing between subsequent "on/off" sequences.Applying this new diagnostic to a larger sample of Be disk systems will provideinsight into the time-dependent nature of each system's stellar decretion rate.

A New Diagnostic of the Radial Density Structure of Be Disks