Abstract
Circular polarization (CP) provides an invaluable probe into the underlying plasma content of relativistic jets. CP can be generated within the jet through a physical process known as linear birefringence. This is a physical mechanism through which initially linearly polarized emission produced in one region of the jet is attenuated by Faraday rotation as it passes through other regions of the jet with distinct magnetic field orientations. Marscher developed the turbulent extreme multi-zone (TEMZ) model of blazar emission which mimics these types of magnetic geometries with collections of thousands of plasma cells passing through a standing conical shock. I have recently developed a radiative transfer algorithm to generate synthetic images of the time-dependent circularly polarized intensity emanating from the TEMZ model at different radio frequencies. In this study, we produce synthetic multi-epoch observations that highlight the temporal variability in the circular polarization produced by the TEMZ model. We also explore the effect that different plasma compositions within the jet have on the resultant levels of CP.
Highlights
Polarized emission (Stokes V) has been observed in the radio cores of a number of blazars [1]
The dominant physical mechanism driving the production of CP in blazars is believed to be a birefringent effect known as Faraday conversion, in which varying magnetic field orientations within the jet convert initially linearly polarized emission into circular polarization
We extend our modeling efforts in order to study the temporal variability of CP produced by the turbulent extreme multi-zone (TEMZ) model and to explore how sensitive CP is to the underlying plasma content of the jet
Summary
Polarized emission (Stokes V) has been observed in the radio cores of a number of blazars [1]. This form of polarization can potentially be used as a probe of the plasma content of the jet [2]. The dominant physical mechanism driving the production of CP in blazars is believed to be a birefringent effect known as Faraday conversion, in which varying magnetic field orientations within the jet convert initially linearly polarized emission into circular polarization. Created the turbulent extreme multi-zone (TEMZ) model for blazar emission. This emission model is made up of thousands of individual cells of plasma that move relativistically across a stationary conical shock (Figure 1). We extend our modeling efforts in order to study the temporal variability of CP produced by the TEMZ model (see Section 4) and to explore how sensitive CP is to the underlying plasma content of the jet (see Section 5)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
