Abstract
Isolated neutron stars are known to be endowed with extreme magnetic fields, whose maximum intensity ranges from 10 12 – 10 15 G, which permeates their magnetospheres. Their surrounding environment is also strongly magnetized, especially in the compact nebulae powered by the relativistic wind from young neutron stars. The radiation from isolated neutron stars and their surrounding nebulae is, thus, supposed to bring a strong polarization signature. Measuring the neutron star polarization brings important information about the properties of their magnetosphere and of their highly magnetized environment. Being the most numerous class of isolated neutron stars, polarization measurements have been traditionally carried out for radio pulsars, hence in the radio band. In this review, I summarize multi-wavelength linear polarization measurements obtained at wavelengths other than radio both for pulsars and other types of isolated neutron stars and outline future perspectives with the upcoming observing facilities.
Highlights
Over 2300 isolated neutron stars (INSs), i.e., not in binary systems, have been identified so far according to the ATNFpulsar catalog [1]
After subtracting the DC component. Such a component was suggested [6] to be associated with the compact emission knot seen ∼0.6 arcsec from the pulsar, resolved by high-spatial resolution imaging with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), but not in ground-based polarimetry observations
This is especially true at high energies where only for the Crab pulsar it has been possible to measure polarization both in the hard X-rays and in the soft γ-rays. Even these very few detections, have shown the potentials of the diagnostic power of polarimetry in the field of pulsar electrodynamics, e.g., by testing INS magnetosphere and emission models, and in quantum physics, e.g., by verifying quantum electrodynamics (QED). Predictions, such as vacuum birefringence, which built a new bridge between the astrophysics and fundamental physics communities
Summary
Over 2300 isolated neutron stars (INSs), i.e., not in binary systems, have been identified so far according to the ATNFpulsar catalog [1] They represent a very important sample where we can study the multi-wavelength emission properties of the neutron star without being affected by the contribution of the companion star, which is dominating at wavelengths such as the optical, infrared or ultraviolet. It is clear that the information obtained from multi-wavelength polarimetry, from the optical to the γ-rays, complements that obtained from radio polarimetry alone, as it explores incoherent emission processes as opposed to the coherent ones. For this reason, multi-wavelength polarimetry of INSs is crucial for a global understanding and characterization of these objects. I will describe the state of the art of multi-wavelength polarimetry observations for different types of INSs carried out outside the radio band, and I will outline future perspectives from the use of new observing facilities that are expected to become operational in the decade
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
