Polarization of the lambda = 1.3 millimeter continuum radiation from the Kleinmann-Low nebula

Abstract

Linear polarization was detected in the 1.3 mm continuum emission from the Kleinmann-Low (KL) nebula in Orion. The result is P = (2.6 + or - 0.8) percent and Phi = 40 + or - 8 deg. The polarization is due to thermal emission from magnetically aligned dust grains. The present measurement is of higher spatial resolution than polarization measurements of this source which have been made at far-infrared wavelengths, and the magnetic field direction which is inferred result differs by about 20 deg from that which has been inferred from the far-infrared results. The difference is probably due to structure in the magnetic field lines within the region sampled by the far-infrared observations. The field direction given by the 1.3 mm result is parallel to the axis of the high-velocity bipolar outflow in KL. 33 refs.