Radio Polarization Study Research Articles

A Kpc-scale radio polarization study of PG BL Lacs with the uGMRT

ABSTRACT We present here uGMRT band 4 (∼650 MHz) polarization images of 8 BL Lac objects belonging to the Palomar-Green (PG) ‘blazar’ sample. A large fraction of the sources ($\sim 63~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) reveal core-halo radio structures with most of the polarization detected in the inner core-jet regions. PG1101 + 385 and PG2254 + 075 exhibit a ‘spine-sheath structure’ in polarization. The core-halo and ‘spine-sheath’ structures are consistent with the Unified Scheme suggestion that BL Lacs are the pole-on beamed counterparts of Fanaroff–Riley (FR) type I radio galaxies. PG1418 + 546 and PG0851 + 203 (OJ287) show the presence of terminal hotspots similar to FR type II radio galaxies. They were also found to be low-spectrally peaked BL Lacs, supportive of the ‘blazar envelope’ scenario for BL Lacs and quasars. Fractional polarization ranges from 1 to 13 per cent in the cores and 2 to 26 per cent in the inner jets/lobes of the sample BL Lacs. Compared to the varied radio morphology of quasars from the PG ‘blazar’ sample, the BL Lacs appear to be less diverse. A comparison of the inferred core magnetic (B-) field structures on arcsec- (kpc-) scales w.r.t. the Very Long Baseline Interferometry jet direction does not reveal any preferred orientation, suggesting that if large-scale ordered B-fields exist, they do so on scales smaller than probed by the current observations. However, the presence of polarized emission on arcsec-scales suggests that any mixing of thermal plasma with the synchrotron emitting plasma is insufficient to fully depolarize the emission via the internal depolarization process.

The Quasar Feedback Survey: revealing the interplay of jets, winds, and emission-line gas in type 2 quasars with radio polarization

ABSTRACTWe present results from a combined radio polarization and emission-line study of five type 2 quasars at z < 0.2 with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) B-array at 5 GHz and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) [O iii] observations. These five sources are known to exhibit close association between radio structures and ionized gas morphology and kinematics. Four sources (J0945+1737, J1000+1242, J1356+1026, and J1430+1339) show polarization in the current data. J1010+1413 is the unpolarized source in our sample. We detect $0.5{-}1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ fractional polarization in the radio cores and a high fractional polarization ($10{-}30{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) in the lobes of these sources. The morphological, spectral, and polarization properties suggest a jet origin for radio emission in J0945+1737, J1000+1242, J1010+1413, and J1430+1339 whereas the current data cannot fully discern the origin of radio emission (jet or wind) in J1356+1026. An anticorrelation between various polarized knots in the radio and [O iii] emission is observed in our sources, similar to that observed in some radio-loud AGN in the literature. This suggests that the radio emission is likely to be depolarized by the emission-line gas. By modelling the depolarization effects, we estimate the size of the emission-line gas clouds to be ∼(2.8 ± 1.7) × 10−5 parsec and the amount of thermal material mixed with the synchrotron plasma to be ∼(1.01 ± 0.08) × 106 M⊙ in the lobe of J0945+1737 (which exhibits the most prominent polarization signature in its lobe). The current work demonstrates that the interplay of jets/winds and emission-line gas is most likely responsible for the nature of radio outflows in radio-quiet AGN.

Looking at radio-quiet AGN with radio polarimetry

The dominant radio emission mechanism in radio-quiet quasars (RQQs) is an open question. Primary contenders include: low-power radio jets, winds, star-formation and coronal emission. Our work suggests that radio polarization and emission-line studies can help to distinguish between these scenarios and determine the primary contributor. Our multi-frequency, multi-scale radio polarization study has revealed a composite jet and "wind" radio outflow in the radio-intermediate quasar, III Zw 2, as well as in the BALQSO, Mrk 231. Our radio polarization study in conjunction with the [O III] emission-line study of five type 2 RQQs have provided insights on the interplay of jets/winds and emission-line gas. These sources reveal an anti-correlation between polarized radio emission and [O III] emission. This is similar to that observed in some radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the literature and suggests that the radio emission could be depolarized by the emission-line gas. Overall, our work suggests that a close interaction between the radio outflow and the surrounding gaseous environment is likely to be responsible for their stunted form in RQ and RI AGN.

A radio polarization study of magnetic fields in the Small Magellanic Cloud

ABSTRACT Observing the magnetic fields of low-mass interacting galaxies tells us how they have evolved over cosmic time and their importance in galaxy evolution. We have measured the Faraday rotation of 80 extra-galactic radio sources behind the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) using the CSIRO Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) with a frequency range of 1.4–3.0 GHz. Both the sensitivity of our observations and the source density are an order-of-magnitude improvement on previous Faraday rotation measurements of this galaxy. The SMC generally produces negative rotation measures after accounting for the Milky Way foreground contribution, indicating that it has a mean coherent line-of-sight magnetic field strength of $-0.3\pm 0.1\, \mu$G, consistent with previous findings. We detect signatures of magnetic fields extending from the north and south of the Bar of the SMC. The random component of the SMC magnetic field has a strength of $\sim 5\, \mu$G with a characteristic size-scale of magneto-ionic turbulence <250 pc, making the SMC like other low-mass interacting galaxies. The magnetic fields of the SMC and Magellanic Bridge appear similar in direction and strength, hinting at a connection between the two fields as part of the hypothesized ‘pan-Magellanic’ magnetic field.

Outflows in the radio-intermediate quasar III Zw 2: a polarization study with the EVLA and uGMRT

ABSTRACT We present results from a polarization study of the radio-intermediate quasar, III Zw 2, at a redshift of 0.089, with the upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) at 685 MHz and the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) at 5 and 34 GHz. We detect a kpc-scale outflow, exhibiting transverse magnetic (B-) fields. The curved jet terminates in a bow-shock-like radio structure with inferred B-fields aligned with the lobe edges. We suggest that the radio outflow in III Zw 2 is a combination of a collimated jet along with a wind-like component. This ‘wind’ component could be a magnetized accretion disc wind or the outer layers of a broadened jet or a combination of both. The current data cannot differentiate between these possibilities. We also detect kpc-scale lobe emission that is misaligned with the primary lobes in the uGMRT images. The spectral indices and the electron lifetimes in the misaligned lobe are similar to the primary lobe, suggesting that the misaligned lobe is not a relic. We propose that changing spectral states of the accretion disc, and the subsequent intermittent behaviour of the outflow, along with the close interplay between the jet and ‘wind’ could explain the radio-intermediate nature of III Zw 2. Our study shows that radio-intermediate quasars are promising sources for understanding the role of jets and winds in galaxy evolution and demonstrates the power of radio polarization studies towards achieving this.

A polarization study of the supernova remnant CTB 80

We present a radio polarization study of the supernova remnant CTB 80 based on images at 1420 MHz from the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey, at 2695 MHz from the Effelsberg survey of the Galactic plane and at 4800 MHz from the Sino-German λ6 cm polarization survey of the Galactic plane. We obtained a rotation measure (RM) map using polarization angles at 2695 MHz and 4800 MHz as the polarization percentages are similar at these two frequencies. RM exhibits a transition from positive values to negative values along one of the shells hosting the pulsar PSR B1951+32 and its pulsar wind nebula. The reason for the change in sign remains unclear. We identified a partial shell structure, which is bright in polarized intensity but weak in total intensity. This structure could be part of CTB 80 or part of a new supernova remnant unrelated to CTB 80.

A radio continuum and polarization study of the pulsar wind nebula CTB 87 (G74.9+1.2)

ABSTRACT We present radio continuum and linear polarization observations of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) CTB 87 (G74.9+1.2) with the Effelsberg 100-m Radio Telescope between 4.75 and 32 GHz. An analysis of these new data including archived low-frequency observations at 1420 and 408 MHz from the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey shows that CTB 87 consists of two distinct emission components: a compact kidney-shaped component, 14 × 8.5 pc2 (7.8 × 4.8 arcmin2) in size and a larger diffuse, spherical, and centrally peaked component of about 30 pc (17 arcmin) in diameter. The kidney-shaped component with a much steeper radio continuum spectrum is highly linearly polarized and likely represents a relic PWN. The diffuse component represents the undisturbed part of the PWN expanding inside a cavity or stellar wind bubble. The previously reported spectral break above 10 GHz is likely the result of missing large-scale emission and insufficient sensitivity of the high-frequency radio continuum observations. The simulation of the system’s evolution yields an age of about 18 000 yr as the result of a Type II supernova explosion with ejecta mass of about 12 M⊙ and explosion energy of about 7 × 1050 erg. We also found evidence for a radio shell in our polarization data that represents the blast wave that entered the molecular cloud complex at a radius of about 13 pc.

New perspectives on the supernova remnant Puppis A based on a radio polarization study

We present a polarization study towards the supernova remnant (SNR) Puppis A based on original observations performed with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). Based on the analysis of a feature detected outside the SNR shell (called `the tail' throughout the paper), it was possible to disentangle the emission with origin in Puppis A itself from that coming from the foreground Vela SNR. We found a very low polarization fraction, of about 3 percent on average. The upper limit of the magnetic field component parallel to the line of sight is estimated to be B$_\parallel \sim$ 20 $\mu$G. The statistical behavior of the magnetic vectors shows two preferential directions, almost perpendicular to each other, which are approximately aligned with the flat edges of Puppis A. A third, narrow peak oriented perpendicular to the Galactic plane suggests the existence of an interstellar magnetic field locally aligned in this direction. There is evidence that the magnetic vectors along the shell are aligned with the shock front direction. The low polarization fraction and the statistical behavior of the magnetic vectors are compatible with a scenario where the SNR evolves inside a stellar wind bubble with a box-like morphology, produced by the interaction of the different stellar winds, one of them magnetized, launched by the SN progenitor. This scenario can furthermore explain the morphology of Puppis A, rendering little support to the previously accepted picture which involved strong density gradients to explain the flat, eastern edge of the shell.

A Radio Continuum and Polarization Study of SNR G57.2+0.8 Associated with Magnetar SGR 1935+2154

Abstract We present a radio continuum and linear polarization study of the Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) G57.2+0.8, which may host the recently discovered magnetar SGR 1935+2154. The radio SNR shows the typical radio continuum spectrum of a mature supernova remnant with a spectral index of and moderate polarized intensity. Magnetic field vectors indicate a tangential magnetic field, expected for an evolved SNR, in one part of the SNR, and a radial magnetic field in the other. The latter can be explained by an overlapping arc-like feature, perhaps a pulsar wind nebula, emanating from the magnetar. The presence of a pulsar wind nebula is supported by the low average braking index of 1.2, which we extrapolated for the magnetar, and the detection of diffuse X-ray emission around it. We found a distance of 12.5 kpc for the SNR, which identifies G57.2+0.8 as a resident of the Outer spiral arm of the Milky Way. The SNR has a radius of about 20 pc and could be as old as 41,000 yr. The SNR has already entered the radiative or pressure-driven snowplow phase of its evolution. We compare independently determined characteristics like age and distance for both the SNR and the soft gamma repeater SGR 1935+2154, and conclude that they are physically related.

Comparing Gamma-ray Loud and Gamma-ray Quiet Radio Pulsars – A Unification Scheme

AbstractA radio polarization study of gamma-ray-detected pulsars reveals a surprising tendency for the magnetic and rotation axes to be relatively aligned. This provides tension with gamma-ray models, which disfavour such alignment. The lack of correlation between these findings and those derived from the gamma-ray light curves suggests problems in the models. To make the data consistent with a random orientation of the magnetic field the emission regions could be assumed to extend outside what is traditionally thought to be the open-field-line region in a magnetic inclination angle dependent way. Both acceptance and rejection of this hypothesis has important consequences. Finally, a unification scheme is proposed to explain the observational differences between gamma-ray loud and gamma-ray quiet radio pulsars. This unification scheme takes the orientation of the line of sight and the magnetic inclination angle to be key parameters affecting both the radio and gamma-ray light-curve morphology.

RADIO POLARIZATION OBSERVATIONS OF THE SNAIL: A CRUSHED PULSAR WIND NEBULA IN G327.1–1.1 WITH A HIGHLY ORDERED MAGNETIC FIELD

ABSTRACT Pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) are suggested to be acceleration sites of cosmic rays in the Galaxy. While the magnetic field plays an important role in the acceleration process, previous observations of magnetic field configurations of PWNe are rare, particularly for evolved systems. We present a radio polarization study of the “Snail” PWN inside the supernova remnant G327.1−1.1 using the Australia Telescope Compact Array. This PWN is believed to have been recently crushed by the supernova (SN) reverse shock. The radio morphology is composed of a main circular body with a finger-like protrusion. We detected a strong linear polarization signal from the emission, which reflects a highly ordered magnetic field in the PWN and is in contrast to the turbulent environment with a tangled magnetic field generally expected from hydrodynamical simulations. This could suggest that the characteristic turbulence scale is larger than the radio beam size. We built a toy model to explore this possibility, and found that a simulated PWN with a turbulence scale of about one-eighth to one-sixth of the nebula radius and a pulsar wind filling factor of 50%–75% provides the best match to observations. This implies substantial mixing between the SN ejecta and pulsar wind material in this system.

Magnetic fields in the nearby spiral galaxy IC 342: A multi-frequency radio polarization study

The total and polarized radio continuum emission of IC 342 was observed in four wavelength bands with the Effelsberg and VLA telescopes. The frequency dependence of the radial scalelength of synchrotron emission indicates energy-dependent propagation of the cosmic-ray electrons, probably via the streaming instability. The equipartition strength of the total magnetic field is typically 15 muG, that of the ordered field 5 muG. Faraday rotation of the polarization angles reveals an underlying regular field of only about 0.5 muG strength with a large-scale axisymmetric spiral pattern, signature of a mean-field dynamo, and an about 10x stronger field that fluctuates on scales of a few 100 pc. The magnetic field around the bar in the central region of IC 342 resembles that of large barred galaxies; its regular spiral field is directed outwards, opposite to that in the disk. The polarized emission in the disk is concentrated in: (1) a narrow arm of about 300 pc width, displaced inwards with respect to the eastern arm by about 200 pc, indicating magnetic fields compressed by a density wave; (2) a broad arm of 300-500 pc width around the northern arm with systematic variations in polarized emission, polarization angles, and Faraday rotation measures on a scale of about 2 kpc, indicative of a helically twisted flux tube generated by the Parker instability; (3) a rudimentary "magnetic arm" in an interarm region in the north-west; (4) several broad spiral arms in the outer galaxy, related to spiral arms in the total neutral gas; (5) short features in the outer south-western galaxy, probably distorted by tidal interaction. - The generation and development of "magnetic arms" by a mean-field dynamo probably need a spiral pattern that is stable over a few galactic rotation periods. The dynamo in IC 342 is slow and weak, probably disturbed by the bar, tidal interaction, or a transient spiral pattern.

ON THE RADIO POLARIZATION SIGNATURE OF EFFICIENT AND INEFFICIENT PARTICLE ACCELERATION IN SUPERNOVA REMNANT SN 1006

We present a radio polarization study of SN 1006, based on combined VLA and ATCA observations at 20 cm that resulted in sensitive images with an angular resolution of 10 arcsec. The fractional polarization in the two bright radio and X-ray lobes of the SNR is measured to be 0.17, while in the southeastern sector, where the radio and non-thermal X-ray emission are much weaker, the polarization fraction reaches a value of 0.6 +- 0.2, close to the theoretical limit of 0.7. We interpret this result as evidence of a disordered, turbulent magnetic field in the lobes, where particle acceleration is believed to be efficient, and a highly ordered field in the southeast, where the acceleration efficiency has been shown to be very low. Utilizing the frequency coverage of our observations, an average rotation measure of ~12 rad/m2 is determined from the combined data set, which is then used to obtain the intrinsic direction of the magnetic field vectors. While the orientation of magnetic field vectors across the SNR shell appear radial, a large fraction of the magnetic vectors lie parallel to the Galactic Plane. Along the highly polarized southeastern rim, the field is aligned tangent to the shock, and therefore also nearly parallel to the Galactic Plane. These results strongly suggest that the ambient field surrounding SN 1006 is aligned with this direction (i.e., from northeast to southwest) and that the bright lobes are due to a polar cap geometry. Our study establishes that the most efficient particle acceleration and generation of magnetic turbulence in SN 1006 is attained for shocks in which the magnetic field direction and shock normal are quasi-parallel, while inefficient acceleration and little to no generation of magnetic turbulence obtains for the quasi-perpendicular case.

A Radio and Optical Polarization Study of the Magnetic Field in the Small Magellanic Cloud

We present a study of the magnetic field of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), carried out using radio Faraday rotation and optical starlight polarization data. Consistent negative rotation measures (RMs) across the SMC indicate that the line-of-sight magnetic field is directed uniformly away from us with a strength 0.19 ± 0.06 μG. Applying the Chandrasekhar-Fermi method to starlight polarization data yields an ordered magnetic field in the plane of the sky of strength 1.6 ± 0.4 μG oriented at a position angle 4°± 12°, measured counterclockwise from the great circle on the sky joining the SMC to the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). We construct a three-dimensional magnetic field model of the SMC, under the assumption that the RMs and starlight polarization probe the same underlying large-scale field. The vector defining the overall orientation of the SMC magnetic field shows a potential alignment with the vector joining the center of the SMC to the center of the LMC, suggesting the possibility of a magnetic field. A cosmic-ray-driven dynamo is the most viable explanation of the observed field geometry, but has difficulties accounting for the observed unidirectional field lines. A study of Faraday rotation through the Magellanic Bridge is needed to further test the pan-Magellanic field hypothesis.

NGC 4654: polarized radio continuum emission as a diagnostic tool for a galaxy-cluster interaction

Context. A recent comparison between deep VLA Hi observations and dynamical models of the Virgo cluster spiral galaxy NGC 4654 has shown that only a model involving a combination of a tidal interaction and ram pressure can reproduce the data. Aims. Deep radio polarization studies, together with detailed MHD modeling, can independently verify those conclusions, that are based on Hi observations and dynamical models. Methods. We performed deep polarized radio-continuum observations of the Virgo cluster spiral galaxy NGC 4654 with the Effelsberg 100 m telescope at 8.35 GHz and the VLA at 4.85 GHz. Detailed 3D MHD simulations were made to determine the large-scale magnetic field and the emission distribution of the polarized radio continuum in the model, during the galaxy evolution within the cluster environment. Results. This direct comparison between the observed and simulated polarized radio continuum emission corroborates the earlier results, that the galaxy had a recent rapid close encounter with NGC 4639 and is undergoing weak ram pressure by the intracluster medium. Conclusions. This combination of deep radio polarization studies and detailed MHD modeling thus gives us unique insight into the interactions of a galaxy with its cluster environment. It represents a diagnostic tool that is complementary to deep Hi observations.

Faraday rotation studies of the giant radio galaxy 3C33.1: An evolving naked-jet radio source?

In this paper we present results of a detailed morphological and radio polarization study of the nearby radio galaxy 3C33.1 (4C72.01, 0106+729, z = 0.18) made with the Very Large Array at 18 and 21 cm. Recently, this galaxy has been re-classified within a sample of large core-dominated radio sources and it has an exceedingly high projected linear size of ∼450 kpc. The jet shows little Faraday rotation, with rotation measures | RM | −2 , whereas the hotspots exhibit higher values. The low rotation measures indicate that this radio source has a visible jet, which can be a naked jet or stripped from a dense environment. A spectral ageing analysis, based on syncrotron power losses arguments of the integrated spectra, suggest that the radio structure is not younger than 20 Myrs. Further observational properties of this radio galaxy are also discussed. To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

Magnetic Fields in Cluster and Interacting Galaxies

Our VLA and Effelsberg radio polarization studies of the interacting and cluster galaxies (NGC 3627, NGC 4038/39, NGC 4254) show that magnetic fields could help us in understanding galaxy peculiar gas motions and cluster environmental effects.

Large-scale magnetohydrodynamic density-wave structures in the Andromeda nebula

The Andromeda galaxy (also referred to as M31 or NGC 224) shows approximately axisymmetric large-scale structures which are identified here with fast magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) density waves in a simple theoretical model characterized by a rotating composite system of a massive spherical halo (dark matter included), a stellar disc and a magnetized gas disc. For fast MHD density waves inside the Lindblad resonance, enhancements of stellar and gas surface mass densities as well as the azimuthal magnetic field are all roughly in phase. Based on this analysis and considerations of radiation processes in a magnetized interstellar medium, the observed overall correlation of annulus structures of M31 at many electromagnetic wavelengths can be naturally explained. In particular, the enhanced magnetic field (inferred from the synchrotron radio continuum) tends to align roughly along the magnetic torus of M31 as revealed by radio polarization studies. From observational estimates of physical parameters, the composite system of M31 is found to be quite stable – a fact that may account for the observed low global star formation rate in M31.

On the Origin of Strong Magnetic Fields in Young Supernova Remnants

view Abstract Citations (98) References (44) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS On the Origin of Strong Magnetic Fields in Young Supernova Remnants Jun, Byung-Il ; Norman, Michael L. Abstract Young supernova remnants such as Tycho generally exhibit a bright circular clumpy shell in both radio and X-ray emission. For several young remnants, various arguments suggest that the magnetic field is larger than can be explained by compression of a few microgauss ambient magnetic field by the shock wave. Radio polarization studies reveal a net radial orientation of magnetic fields in the shell which cannot be explained by the simple compression either. We model Rayleigh-Taylor instability at the interface of the ejecta and the shocked ambient medium to explain these observations. We have performed multidimensional MHD simulations of the instability in the shell of a Type I supernova remnant for the first time utilizing a moving grid technique which allows us to follow the growth of the instability and its effect on the local magnetic field in detail. We find that the evolution of the instability is very sensitive to the deceleration of the ejecta and the evolutionary stage of the remnant. As the reverse shock enters the inner uniform density region, Chevalier's self-similar stage ends and the thickness of radio shell increases and the instability weakens. Our simulation shows that Rayleigh-Taylor and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities amplify ambient magnetic fields locally by as much as a factor of 60 around dense figures due to stretching, winding, and compression. Globally, the amount of magnetic field amplification is low and the magnetic energy density reaches only about 0.3% of the turbulent energy density at the end of simulation. Strong magnetic field lines draped around the fingers produce the radial B vector polarization, whereas thermal bremsstrahlung from the dense fingers themselves produces the clumpy X-ray emission. As a result, the X-ray emission peaks inside of the radio emission. The surface brightness profile shows no detailed correspondence between radio and X-ray emission. The major part of radio and X-ray luminosity comes from the mixing region. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: July 1996 DOI: 10.1086/177464 arXiv: arXiv:astro-ph/9601035 Bibcode: 1996ApJ...465..800J Keywords: INSTABILITIES; ISM: MAGNETIC FIELDS; ISM: STRUCTURE; METHODS: NUMERICAL; MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS: MHD; ISM: SUPERNOVA REMNANTS; Astrophysics E-Print: Accepted for the publication in ApJ, 31 pages, 16 Postscript figures full text sources arXiv | ADS | data products SIMBAD (2)

A faint polarized arc near the supernova remnant MSH 15-52 (G 320.4 - 1.2)

The Galactic radio source MSH 15-52 (G 320.4 − 1.2) is a 30-arcmin non-thermal complex associated with the optical nebula RCW 89 and believed to be the remnant of a supernova; it contains the X-ray and radio pulsar PSR 1509 − 58, and it is assumed that an association with the SNR exists. In this paper we present a radio polarization study of this region which shows the presence of a polarized ring or shell, ∼ 40 arcmin in diameter, either extending from G 320.4 − 1.2 or coincident with part of it. The distributions of Faraday rotation and depolarization are also presented for this region. While G 320.4 − 1.2 clearly has a radial projected magnetic field, the field in the large ring is tangential, which suggests that it may be a blow-out from G 320.4 − 1.4