Intrinsic Polarization Position Angle Research Articles

The Be Star 66 Ophiuchi: 60 Years of Disk Evolution

Abstract We use a time-dependent hydrodynamic code and a non-LTE Monte Carlo code to model disk dissipation for the Be star 66 Ophiuchi. We compiled 63 years of observations from 1957 to 2020 to encompass the complete history of the growth and subsequent dissipation of the star’s disk. Our models are constrained by new and archival photometry, spectroscopy, and polarization observations, allowing us to model the disk dissipation event. Using Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods, we find that the properties of 66 Oph are consistent with those of a standard B2Ve star. We computed a grid of 61,568 Be star disk models to constrain the density profile of the disk before dissipation using observations of the Hα line profile and spectral energy distribution. We find at the onset of dissipation the disk has a base density of 2.5 × 10−11 g cm−3 with a radial power-law index of n = 2.6. Our models indicate that after 21 yr of disk dissipation 66 Oph’s outer disk remained present and bright in the radio. We find an isothermal disk with constant viscosity with an α = 0.4 and an outer disk radius of ∼115 stellar radii best reproduces the rate of 66 Oph’s disk dissipation. We determined the interstellar polarization in the direction of the star in the V band is p = 0.63 ± 0.02% with a polarization position angle of θ IS ≈ 857 ± 07. Using the Stokes QU diagram, we find the intrinsic polarization position angle of 66 Oph’s disk is θ int ≈ 98° ± 3°.

The 492 GHz emission of Sgr A* constrained by ALMA

We report linearly polarized continuum emission properties of Sgr A* at $\sim$492 GHz, based on the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) observations. We used the observations of the likely unpolarized continuum emission of Titan, and the observations of C\textsc{i} line emission, to gauge the degree of spurious polarization. The Stokes I flux of 3.6$\pm$0.72 Jy during our run is consistent with extrapolations from the previous, lower frequency observations. We found that the continuum emission of Sgr A* at $\sim$492 GHz shows large amplitude differences between the XX and the YY correlations. The observed intensity ratio between the XX and YY correlations as a function of parallactic angle may be explained by a constant polarization position angle of $\sim$158$^{\circ}$$\pm$3$^{\circ}$. The fitted polarization percentage of Sgr A* during our observational period is 14\%$\pm$1.2\%. The calibrator quasar J1744-3116 we observed at the same night can be fitted to Stokes I = 252 mJy, with 7.9\%$\pm$0.9\% polarization in position angle P.A. = 4.1$^{\circ}$$\pm$4.2$^{\circ}$. The observed polarization percentage and polarization position angle in the present work appear consistent with those expected from longer wavelength observations in the period of 1999-2005. In particular, the polarization position angle at 492 GHz, expected from the previously fitted 167$^{\circ}$$\pm$7$^{\circ}$ intrinsic polarization position angle and (-5.6$\pm$0.7)$\times$10$^{5}$ rotation measure, is 155$^{+9}_{-8}$, which is consistent with our new measurement of polarization position angle within 1$\sigma$. The polarization percentage and the polarization position angle may be varying over the period of our ALMA 12m Array observations, which demands further investigation with future polarization observations.

Linearly polarized millimeter and submillimeter continuum emission of Sgr A* constrained by ALMA

Our aim is to characterize the polarized continuum emission properties including intensity, polarization position angle, and polarization percentage of Sgr A* at $\sim$100 (3.0 mm), $\sim$230 (1.3 mm), $\sim$345 (0.87 mm), $\sim$500 (0.6 mm), and $\sim$700 GHz (0.43 mm). We report continuum emission properties of Sgr A* at the above frequency bands, based on the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) observations. We measured flux densities of Sgr A* from ALMA single pointing and mosaic observations. We performed sinusoidal fittings to the observed (XX-YY)/I intensity ratios, to derive the polarization position angles and polarization percentages. We successfully detect polarized continuum emission from all observed frequency bands. We observed lower Stokes I intensity at $\sim$700 GHz than that at $\sim$500 GHz, which suggests that emission at $\gtrsim$500 GHz is from optically thin part of a synchrotron emission spectrum. Both the Stokes I intensity and the polarization position angle at our highest observing frequency of $\sim$700 GHz, may be varying with time. However, we do not yet detect variation in the polarization percentage at $>$500 GHz. The polarization percentage at $\sim$700 GHz is likely lower than that at $\sim$500 GHz. By comparing the $\sim$500 GHz and $\sim$700 GHz observations with the observations at lower frequency bands, we suggest that the intrinsic polarization position angle of Sgr A* is varying with time. This paper also reports the measurable polarization properties from the observed calibration quasars. The future simultaneous multi-frequency polarization observations are required for clarifying the time and frequency variation of polarization position angle and polarization percentage.

PROBING THE PARSEC-SCALE ACCRETION FLOW OF 3C 84 WITH MILLIMETER WAVELENGTH POLARIMETRY

We report the discovery of Faraday rotation toward radio source 3C 84, the active galactic nucleus in NGC1275 at the core of the Perseus Cluster. The rotation measure (RM), determined from polarization observations at wavelengths of 1.3 and 0.9 mm, is (8.7 +/- 2.3) x 10^5 radians/m^2, among the largest ever measured. The RM remained relatively constant over a 2 year period even as the intrinsic polarization position angle wrapped through a span of 300 degrees. The Faraday rotation is likely to originate either in the boundary layer of the radio jet from the nucleus, or in the accretion flow onto the central black hole. The accretion flow probably is disk-like rather than spherical on scales of less than a parsec, otherwise the RM would be even larger.

Hα spectropolarimetry of GG Car

AbstractWe present spectropolarimetric observations of the B[e] supergiant star GG Car at two epochs. Polarization line effects along Hα are analysed using the Q–U diagram. In particular, the polarization position angle (PA) obtained using the line effect allows to constrain the symmetry axis of the disk/envelope. The depolarization line effect around Hα is evident in the Q–U diagram for both epochs, confirming that light from the system is intrinsically polarized. A rotation of the PA along Hα is also observed, indicating a counter-clockwise rotating disk. The intrinsic PA calculated using the line effect (~85°) is consistent between our two epochs, suggesting a clearly defined symmetry axis of the disk.

DISK-LOSS AND DISK-RENEWAL PHASES IN CLASSICAL Be STARS. I. ANALYSIS OF LONG-TERM SPECTROPOLARIMETRIC DATA

(Abridged) Classical Be stars occasionally transition from having a gaseous circumstellar disk (''Be phase'') to a state in which all observational evidence for the presence of these disks disappears (''normal B-star phase''). We present one of the most comprehensive spectropolarimetric views to date of such a transition for two Be stars, pi Aquarii and 60 Cygni. 60 Cyg's disk loss episode was characterized by a monotonic decrease in emission strength over a time-scale of 1000 days, consistent with the viscous time-scale of the disk, assuming alpha is 0.14. pi Aqr's disk loss was episodic in nature and occurred over a time-scale of 2440 days. An observed time lag between the behavior of the polarization and H-alpha in both stars indicates the disk clearing proceeded in an ''inside-out'' manner. We determine the position angle of the intrinsic polarization to be 166.7 +/- 0.1 degrees for pi Aqr and 107.7 +/- 0.4 degrees for 60 Cyg, and model the observed polarization during the quiescent diskless phase of each star to determine the interstellar polarization along the line of sight. Minor outbursts observed during the quiescent phase of each star shared similar lifetimes as those previously reported for mu Cen, suggesting that the outbursts represent the injection and subsequent viscous dissipation of individual blobs of material into the inner circumstellar environments of these stars. We also observe deviations from the mean intrinsic polarization position angle during polarization outbursts in each star, indicating deviations from axisymmetry. We propose that these deviations might be indicative of the injection (and subsequent circularization) of new blobs into the inner disk, either in the plane of the bulk of the disk material or in a slightly inclined (non-coplanar) orbit.

Hαspectropolarimetry of the B[e] supergiant GG Carinae

Aims. We study the geometry of the circumstellar environment of the B[e] supergiant star GG Car. Methods. We present observations acquired using the IAGPOL imaging polarimeter in combination with the Eucalyptus-IFU spectrograph to obtain spectropolarimetric measurements of GG Car across Halpha at two epochs. Polarization effects along the emission line are analysed using the Q-U diagram. In particular, the polarization position angle (PA) obtained using the line effect is able to constrain the symmetry axis of the disk/envelope. Results. By analysing the fluxes, GG Car shows an increase in its double-peaked Halpha line emission relative to the continuum within the interval of our measurements (~43 days). The depolarization line effect around Halpha is evident in the Q-U diagram for both epochs, confirming that light from the system is intrinsically polarized. A rotation of the PA along Halpha is also observed, indicating a counter-clockwise rotating disk. The intrinsic PA calculated using the line effect (~85deg) is consistent between our two epochs, suggesting a clearly defined symmetry axis of the disk.

MULTIEPOCH OPTICAL SPECTROPOLARIMETRY OF THREE MICROQUASARS, Cyg X-1, LS 5039, AND LS I +61° 303

We present optical spectropolarimetric observations of three microquasars, Cyg X-1, LS 5039, and LS I +61{sup 0} 303. Polarimetry can bring us geometrical information on the innermost part of the circumstellar media. For Cyg X-1, the observed continuum polarization shows sinusoidal time variation ({delta} {approx} 0.2%) correlated with the orbital phase, as indicated by past studies. The constant component of the polarization has significantly changed ({delta} {approx} 0.7%) within a few decades, indicating variation of scattering material surrounding the binary. There is no apparent change of polarization across the H{alpha} emission line in Cyg X-1. For LS 5039, the observed polarization shows no significant orbital variation. The wavelength dependence is almost consistent with the typical interstellar polarization (ISP) and we conclude that the ISP is a dominant component of the observed polarization. For LS I +61{sup 0} 303, the observed polarization is roughly consistent with our previous paper, except for a slight change in the intrinsic polarization and also in the equivalent width of the H{alpha} emission line. These imply a long-term evolution of the Be disk around the mass donor. The position angle of intrinsic polarization at {approx_equal}25{sup 0} was constant from 2005 through 2008. Our observations suggest thatmore » the optical polarization intrinsic to a microquasar with an high mass donor can be explained by the light scattering in the circumstellar matter around the mass donor. A polarization signal from the vicinity of the compact star (including jet and accretion disk) seems absent.« less

Hαspectropolarimetry of RY Tauri and PX Vulpeculae

Aims. To detect line effects using spectropolarimetry in order to find evidence of rotating disks and their respective symmetry axes in T Tauri stars. Methods. We used the IAGPOL imaging polarimeter along with the Eucalyptus-IFU to obtain spectropolarimetric measurements of the T Tauri stars RY Tau (two epochs) and PX Vul (one epoch). Evidence of line effects showing a loop in the Q−U diagram favors a compact rather than an extended source for the line photons in a rotating disk. In addition, the polarization position angle (PA) obtained using the line effect can constrain the symmetry axis of the disk. Results. RY Tau shows a variable Hα double peak in 2004−2005 data. A polarization line effect is evident in the Q−U diagram for both epochs confirming a clockwise rotating disk. A single loop is evident in 2004 changing to a linear excursion plus a loop in 2005. Interestingly, the intrinsic PA calculated using the line effect is consistent between our two epochs (∼167 ◦ ). An alternative intrinsic PA computed from the interstellar polarization-corrected continuum and averaged between 2001−2005 yielded a PA ∼ 137 ◦ .T his last value is closer to perpendicular to the observed disk direction (∼25 ◦ ), as expected from single scattering in an optically thin disk. For PX Vul, we detected spectral variability in Hα along with non-variable continuum polarization when compared with previous data. The Q−U diagram shows a well-defined loop in Hα associated with a counter-clockwise rotating disk. The symmetry axis inferred from the line effect has a PA ∼ 91 ◦ (with an ambiguity of 90 ◦ ). Our results confirm previous evidence that the emission line in T Tauri stars has its origin in a compact source scattered off a rotating accretion disk.

The Submillimeter Polarization of Sgr A*

We report on the submillimeter properties of Sgr A* derived from observations with the Submillimeter Array and its polarimeter. We ftid that the spectrum of Sgr A* between 230 and 690 GHz is slightly decreasing when measured simultaneously, indicating a transition to optically thin emission around 300–400 GHz. We also present very sensitive and well calibrated measurements of the polarization of Sgr A* at 230 and 345 GHz. With these data we are able to show for the frst time that the polarization of Sgr A* varies on hour timescales, as has been observed for the total intensity. On one night we fhd variability that may arise from a polarized "blob" orbiting the black hole. Finally, we use the ensemble of observations to determine the rotation measure. This represents the frst statistically significant rotation measure determination and the only one made without resorting to comparing position angles measured at separate epochs. We frid a rotation measure of (−5.6 ± 0.7) × 105 rad m2, with no evidence for variability on inter-day timescales at the level of the measurement error. The stability constrains interday flictuations in the accretion rate to 8%. The mean intrinsic polarization position angle is 167°±7° and we detect variations of 31+18−9 degrees. This separation of intrinsic polarization changes and possible rotation measure flictuations is now possible because of the frequency coverage and sensitivity of our data. The observable rotation measure restricts the accretion rate to the range 2 × 10−7 Mȯ yr−1 to 2 × 10−9 Mȯ yr−1, if the magnetic ffeld is near equipartition and ordered.

Magnetic Field Morphology of Orion IRc2 from 86 GHz SiO Maser Polarization Images

In an attempt to probe the magnetic field morphology near the massive young star Orion IRc2, we mapped the linear polarization of its J = 2-1 SiO masers, in both the v = 0 and v = 1 vibrational levels, with 05 resolution. The intense v = 1 masers are confined to a narrow zone 40 AU from the star. Their polarization position angles vary significantly on timescales of years. For the v = 1 masers the stimulated emission rate R is likely to exceed the Zeeman splitting gΩ caused by any plausible magnetic field; in this case, the maser polarization need not correlate with the field direction. The much weaker v = 0 masers in the ground vibrational level lie 100-700 AU from IRc2, in what appears to be a flared disk. Their fractional polarizations are as high as 50%. The polarization position angles vary little across the line profile or the emission region and appear to be stable in time. The position angle (P.A. = 80°) we measure for the J = 2-1 masers differs by 70° from that measured for the J = 1-0 SiO transition, possibly because of Faraday rotation in the foreground, Orion A, H II region. A rotation measure 3.3 × 104 rad m-2 is required to bring the J = 2-1 and J = 1-0 position angles into concordance. The intrinsic polarization position angle for both transitions is then 57°, parallel to the plane of the putative disk. The magnetic field probably threads the disk poloidally. There is little evidence for a pinched or twisted field near the star.

Radio observations of the remnant of the supernova of AD 1006. II - Polarization observations

Polarized flux observations of the SNR of AD 1006 made with the NRAO VLA are presented. The gross morphology in polarized intensity reveals two bright limbs across from each other. The SE quadrant, faintest in total intensity, shows significant polarized flux, while the extension of the NE, fairly bright in total intensity, appears almost unpolarized. Significant polarized flux is also seen in the SNR center. An integrated polarized fraction of about 13 percent is found; ratios as high as 30 percent may occur locally. The observations can be used to infer an intrinsic polarization position angle, and it is deduced that the ordered component of the magnetic field is primarily radial. The polarized fraction upper limits imply that the magnetic field is dominantly disordered, and it is estimated that the radial component contains only about 20 percent of the total magnetic energy density.