Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer Research Articles

Crab pulsar: IXPE observations reveal unified polarization properties in the optical and soft X-ray bands

We present a phase-dependent analysis of the polarized emission from the Crab pulsar based on three sets of observations by the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). We found that a phenomenological model involving a simple linear transformation of the Stokes parameters adequately describes the IXPE data. This model enabled us to establish a connection between the polarization properties of the Crab pulsar in the optical and soft X-ray bands for the first time, which suggests a common underlying emission mechanism in these bands that likely is synchrotron radiation. In particular, the phase-dependent polarization degree in X-rays for the pure pulsar emission shows similar features, but is reduced by a factor ≈(0.46 − 0.56) compared to the optical band (when we accounted for the contribution of the knot in the optical), which implies an energy-dependent polarized emission. Using this model, we also studied the polarization angle swing in the X-rays and identified a potentially variable phase shift at the interpulse relative to the optical band, alongside a phase shift that is marginally consistent with zero and persists at the main pulse. While the origin of this variability is unknown and presents a new challenge for the theoretical interpretation, our findings suggest that the emission mechanism for the main pulse is likely located far from the neutron star surface, perhaps near to or beyond the light cylinder, and that it does not operate in the inner magnetosphere, where vacuum birefringence is expected to be at work. Ignoring the phase shifts would result in identical phase-dependent polarization angles between the optical and X-ray bands for the pure pulsar emission.

Accretion Onto Weakly Magnetized Neutron Stars: Polarization Theory and Its Application to X‐Ray Burster GX 13+1

ABSTRACTObservations show that the x‐ray emission of the accreting weakly magnetized neutron stars (WMNSs) is polarized. In this article, we summarize the analytical models for the polarized emission of various components of the WMNSs. We introduce a missing theoretical model, where we assume the emission comes from the spreading layer, the extension of the boundary layer between the accretion disk and the neutron star. We show how these models and the results of the simulations provide new insights into the x‐ray polarization from weakly magnetized neutron stars observed with the imaging x‐ray polarimetry explorer (IXPE). We specifically focus on the most peculiar case of the X‐ray burster GX 13+1.

Making the Invisible Visible: Magnetic Fields in Accretion Flows Revealed by X-Ray Polarization

Large-scale, strong magnetic fields are often evoked in black hole accretion flows, for jet launching in the low/hard state and to circumvent the thermal instability in the high/soft state. Here, we show how these ideas are strongly challenged by X-ray polarization measurements from the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). Quite general arguments show that equipartition large-scale fields in the accretion flow should be of order 106–8 G. These produce substantial Faraday rotation and/or depolarization. Since IXPE observes polarization in both spectral states, this sets upper limits to coherent large-scale (vertical, radial, or azimuthal) magnetic fields in the photosphere of B ≲ 5 × 106 G. While we stress that Faraday rotation should be calculated for each individual simulation (density, field geometry, and emissivity), it seems most likely that there are no equipartition-strength large-scale ordered fields inside the photosphere of the X-ray-emitting gas. Strong poloidal fields can still power a Blandford–Znajek jet in the low/hard state if they thread the black hole horizon rather than the X-ray-emitting flow, but this could also be challenged by (lack of) depolarization from vacuum birefringence. Instead, an alternative solution is that the low/hard state jet is dominated by pairs, so can be accelerated by lower fields. Strong toroidal fields could still stabilize the disk in the high/soft state if they are buried beneath the photosphere, though this seems unlikely due to magnetic buoyancy. Fundamentally, polarization data from IXPE mean that magnetic fields in black hole accretion flows are no longer invisible and unconstrained.

Evidence for a shock-compressed magnetic field in the northwestern rim of Vela Jr. from X-ray polarimetry

Synchrotron X-ray emission has been detected from nearly a dozen young supernova remnants (SNRs). X-rays of synchrotron origin exhibit linear polarization in a regular, non-randomly oriented magnetic field. The significant polarized X-ray emission from four such SNRs has already been reported on the basis of observations with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). The magnetic-field structure as derived from IXPE observations is radial for Cassiopeia A, Tycho’s SNR, and SN 1006, and tangential for RX J1713.7−3946. The latter together with the recent detection of a tangential magnetic field in SNR 1E 0102.2-7219 by the Australia Telescope Compact Array in the radio band shows that tangential magnetic fields can also be present in young SNRs. Thus, the dichotomy in polarization between young and middle-aged SNRs (radial magnetic fields in young SNRs, but tangential magnetic fields in middle-aged SNRs), previously noticed in the radio band, deserves additional attention. The present analysis of IXPE observations determines, for the first time, a magnetic-field structure in the northwestern rim of Vela Jr, also known as RX J0852.0−4622, and provides a new example of a young SNR with a tangential magnetic field.

First spectropolarimetric observation of the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary GX 3+1

We report the first simultaneous X-ray spectropolarimetric observation of the bright atoll neutron star low-mass X-ray binary GX 3+1, performed by the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) joint with NICER and NuSTAR. The source does not exhibit significant polarization in the 2–8 keV energy band, with an upper limit of 1.3% at a 99% confidence level on the polarization degree. The observed spectra can be well described by a combination of thermal disk emission, the hard Comptonization component, and reflected photons off the accretion disk. In particular, from the broad Fe Kα line profile, we were able to determine the inclination of the system (i ≈ 36°), which is crucial for comparing the observed polarization with theoretical models. Both the spectral and polarization properties of GX 3+1 are consistent with those of other atoll sources observed by IXPE. Therefore, we may expect a similar geometrical configuration for the accreting system and the hot Comptonizing region. The low polarization is also consistent with the low inclination of the system.

Evaluation of Several Explanations of the Strong X-Ray Polarization of the Black Hole X-Ray Binary 4U 1630-47

The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer observations of the X-ray binary 4U 1630–47 in the high soft state revealed high linear polarization degrees (PDs) rising from 6% at 2 keV to 10% at 8 keV. We discuss in this Letter three different mechanisms that impact the polarization of the observed X-rays: the reflection of gravitationally lensed emission by the accretion disk, reprocessing of the emission in outflowing plasma, and electron and ion anisotropies in the accretion disk atmosphere. We conducted detailed ray-tracing studies to evaluate the impact of the reflection of strongly gravitationally lensed emission on the PDs. Although the reflected emission can produce high PDs in the high-energy tail of the thermal emission component, we do not find models that describe the PDs and are consistent with independent estimates of the source distance. We discuss the energetics of another proposed mechanism: the emission or scattering of the X-rays in mildly relativistically moving plasma outflows. We argue that these models are disfavored as they require large mechanical luminosities on the order of, or even exceeding, the Eddington luminosity. We investigated the impact of electron and ion anisotropies but find that their impact on the observed PDs are likely negligible. We conclude with a discussion of all three effects and avenues for future research.

Probing the polarized emission from SMC X-1: The brightest X-ray pulsar observed by IXPE

Recent observations of X-ray pulsars (XRPs) performed by the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) have made it possible to investigate the intricate details of these objects in a new way, thanks to the added value of X-ray polarimetry. Here we present the results of the IXPE observations of SMC X-1, a member of the small group of XRPs displaying super-orbital variability. SMC X-1 was observed by IXPE three separate times during the high state of its super-orbital period. The observed luminosity in the 2–8 keV energy band of L ∼ 2 × 1038 erg s−1 makes SMC X-1 the brightest XRP ever observed by IXPE. We detect significant polarization in all three observations, with values of the phase-averaged polarization degree (PD) and polarization angle (PA) of 3.2 ± 0.8% and 97° ±8° for Observation 1, 3.0 ± 0.9% and 90° ±8° for Observation 2, and 5.5 ± 1.1% and 80° ±6° for Observation 3, for the spectro-polarimetric analysis. The observed PD shows an increase over time with decreasing luminosity, while the PA decreases in decrements of ∼10°. The phase-resolved spectro-polarimetric analysis reveals significant detection of polarization in three out of seven phase bins, with the PD ranging between ∼2% and ∼10%, and a corresponding range in the PA from ∼70° to ∼100°. The pulse-phase resolved PD displays an apparent anti-correlation with the flux. Using the rotating vector model, we obtain constraints on the pulsar’s geometrical properties for the individual observations. The position angle of the pulsar displays an evolution over time supporting the idea that we observe changes related to different super-orbital phases. Scattering in the wind of the precessing accretion disk may be responsible for the behavior of the polarimetric properties observed during the high-state of SMC X-1’s super-orbital period.

Simultaneous X-Ray and Optical Polarization Observations of the Blazar Mrk 421

We present near-simultaneous X-ray and optical polarization measurements in the high synchrotron peaked (HSP) blazar Mrk 421. The X-ray polarimetric observations were carried out using Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) on 2023 December 6. During IXPE observations, we also carried out optical polarimetric observations using 104 cm Sampurnanand telescope at Nainital and multiband optical imaging observations using 2 m Himalayan Chandra Telescope at Hanle. From model-independent analysis of IXPE data, we detected X-ray polarization with degree of polarization (ΠX) of 8.5% ± 0.5% and an electric vector position angle (ΨX) of 10.°6 ± 1.°7 in the 2−8 keV band. From optical polarimetry on 2023 December 6, in B, V, and R bands, we found values of Π B = 4.27% ± 0.32%, Π V = 3.57% ± 0.31%, and Π R = 3.13% ± 0.25%. The value of Π B is greater than that observed at longer optical wavelengths, with the degree of polarization suggesting an energy-dependent trend, gradually decreasing from higher to lower energies. This is consistent with that seen in other HSP blazars and favors a stratified emission region encompassing a shock front. The emission happening in the vicinity of the shock front will be more polarized due to the ordered magnetic field resulting from shock compression. The X-ray emission, involving high-energy electrons, originates closer to the shock front than the optical emission. The difference in the spatial extension could plausibly account for the observed variation in polarization between X-ray and optical wavelengths. This hypothesis is further supported by the broadband spectral energy distribution modeling of the X-ray and optical data.

The First Detection of X-Ray Polarization in a Newly Discovered Galactic Transient Swift J151857.0-572147

We study the spectropolarimetric properties of a newly discovered black hole (BH) X-ray binary Swift J151857.0-572147 jointly using Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) and NuSTAR observations during 2024 March. The analysis of IXPE data reports the first detection of X-ray with a polarization degree (PD) of 1.34 ± 0.27 and a polarization angle (PA) of −13.°69 ± 5.°85 using a model-independent approach, while the model-dependent analysis gives a PD of 1.18 ± 0.23 and a PA of −14.°01 ± 5.°80. The joint spectral analysis of the broadband data and NuSTAR analysis in isolation constrain the mass of the central BH between ∼9.2 ± 1.6 and 10.1 ± 1.7M ⊙ and a moderate spin parameter of ∼0.6 ± 0.1–0.7 ± 0.2 with a disk inclination of ∼35° ± 7°–46° ± 15°. The power-law photon index and cutoff energy are 2.19 ± 0.03–2.47 ± 0.06 and ∼36 ± 4–78 ± 10 keV, suggesting a transition to the soft spectral state. Additionally, a relatively lower corona size of 6 ± 1–9 ± 2r S , a low mass outflow rate ( <3%ṀEdd ), and the best-fitted halo accretion is less compared to the disk accretion rate further confirm the same state. The low PD detected in the soft state can be due to repeated scattering inside the dense corona, and the dominant emission from the disk agrees with the low spin and low disk inclination. The hydrogen column density obtained from the fit is relatively high at ∼4–5 × 1022 cm−2.

Studying geometry of the ultraluminous X-ray pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124 using X-ray and optical polarimetry

Discovery of pulsations from a number of ultra-luminous X-ray (ULX) sources proved that accretion onto neutron stars can produce luminosities exceeding the Eddington limit by several orders of magnitude. The conditions necessary to achieve such high luminosities as well as the exact geometry of the accretion flow in the neutron star vicinity are, however, a matter of debate. The pulse phase-resolved polarization measurements that became possible with the launch of the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) can be used to determine the pulsar geometry and its orientation relative to the orbital plane. They provide an avenue to test different theoretical models of ULX pulsars. In this paper we present the results of three IXPE observations of the first Galactic ULX pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124 during its 2023 outburst. We find strong variations in the polarization characteristics with the pulsar phase. The average polarization degree increases from about 5% to 15% as the flux dropped by a factor of three in the course of the outburst. The polarization angle (PA) as a function of the pulsar phase shows two peaks in the first two observations, but changes to a characteristic sawtooth pattern in the remaining data set. This is not consistent with a simple rotating vector model. Assuming the existence of an additional constant polarized component, we were able to fit the three observations with a common rotating vector model and obtain constraints on the pulsar geometry. In particular, we find the pulsar angular momentum inclination with respect to the line of sight of ip = 15°–40°, the magnetic obliquity of θp = 60°–80°, and the pulsar spin position angle of χp ≈ −50°, which significantly differs from the constant component PA of about 10°. Combining these X-ray measurements with the optical PA, we find evidence for at least a 30° misalignment between the pulsar angular momentum and the binary orbital axis.

Comparison between the Emission Torus and the Measured Toroidal Magnetic Field for the Crab and Vela Nebulae

Polarization measurements provide insight into the magnetic field, a critical aspect of the dynamics and emission properties around the compact object. In this paper, we present the polarized magnetic field of the Crab outer torus and the Vela arc utilizing Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer observation data. The polarization angle (PA) measured for the Crab outer torus exhibits two monotonic evolutions along the azimuth angle, which are consistent with the normal line of the elliptical ring. There is a slight increase in PA along the azimuth angle for both the inner arc and the outer arc of the Vela Nebula. The polarized magnetic vector along the outer torus of the Crab Nebula shows the polarized magnetic field aligns with the Crab outer torus structure. The PA variation along the Crab outer torus suggests a bulk flow speed of 0.8c. Meanwhile, the Vela Nebula polarized magnetic field does not exactly align with the Vela arc structure. We noted that the Crab Nebula possesses a polarized toroidal magnetic field, whereas the Vela Nebula exhibits an incomplete toroidal magnetic field.

New constraints on axion-like particles from IXPE polarization data for magnetars

We derive new constraints on axion-like particles (ALPs) using precision X-ray polarization studies of magnetars. Specifically, we use the first detection of polarized X-rays from the magnetars 4U 0142+61 and 1RXS J170849.0-400910 by the ImagingX-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) to place bounds on the product of the ALP-photon and ALP-nucleon couplings, gaγgaN, with gaN being responsible for ALP production in the core of the magnetar and gaγ controlling the ALP-photon conversion probability in the magnetosphere. These bounds are most sensitive to the magnetar core temperature, and we use two benchmark values of 1×108 K and 5×108 K to derive our constraints. For the latter choice, our bounds are competitive with the existing bounds on the coupling product coming from a combination of CAST (for gaγ) and SN1987A (for gaN). We advocate for more precise and extensive observational campaigns in the higher end of the 2–8 keV spectral window, where ALP-induced polarization is the strongest. We further advocate for hard X-ray polarization studies of young, hot, near-Earth magnetars with strong magnetic fields.

A second view on the X-ray polarization of NGC 4151 with IXPE

We report on the second observing program of the active galactic nucleus NGC 4151 with simultaneous Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE; 750 ks), NuSTAR (∼60 ks), XMM-Newton (∼75 ks), and NICER (∼65 ks) pointings. NGC 4151 is the first Type-1 radio-quiet Seyfert galaxy with constrained polarization properties for the X-ray corona. Despite the lower flux state in which the source was re-observed and the resulting higher contribution of the constant reflection component in the IXPE energy band, our results are in agreement with the first detection. From polarimetric analysis, a polarization degree Π = 4.7 ± 1.3% and polarization angle Ψ = 77° ± 8° east of north (68% c.l.) were derived in the 2.0–8.0 keV energy range. Combining the two observations leads to polarization properties that are more constrained than those of the individual detections, showing Π = 4.5 ± 0.9% and Ψ = 81° ± 6° (with a detection significance of ∼4.6σ). The observed polarization angle aligns very well with the radio emission in this source, supporting, together with the significant polarization degree, a slab or wedge geometry for the X-ray corona. However, a switch in the polarization angle at low energies (37° ±7° in the 2–3.5 keV bin) suggests the presence of another component. When it is included in the spectro-polarimetric fit, a high polarization degree disfavors an interpretation in terms of a leakage through the absorbers, instead pointing to scattering from some kind of mirror.

X-ray spectropolarimetric characterization of GX 340+0 in the horizontal branch: A highly inclined source?

We report the first detection of X-ray polarization in the horizontal branch for as obtained by the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer ( A polarization degree of 4.3&lt;!PCT!&gt;pm 0.4&lt;!PCT!&gt; at a confidence level of 68&lt;!PCT!&gt; is obtained. This value agrees with the previous polarization measurements of Z-sources in the horizontal branch. The spectropolarimetric analysis, performed using a broadband spectral model obtained by and quasi-simultaneous observations, allowed us to constrain the polarization for the soft and hard spectral components that are typical of these sources. The polarization angle for the two components differs by sim This result can be explained by a misalignment of the NS rotation axis with respect to the accretion disk axis. We compared the results with the polarization that is expected in different models. Theoretical expectations for the polarization of the disk and the Comptonization components favor a higher orbital inclination for than 60 as expected for Cyg-like sources. This is in contrast with the results we report for the reflection component based on the broadband spectrum.

Probing Magnetic Fields in Young Supernova Remnants with IXPE

Synchrotron emission from the shocked regions in supernova remnants provides, through its polarization, crucial details about the magnetic field strength and orientation in these regions. This, in turn, provides information on particle acceleration in these shocks. Due to the rapid losses of the highest-energy relativistic electrons, X-ray polarization measurements allow for investigations of the magnetic field to be carried outvery close to the sites of particle acceleration. Measurements of both the geometry of the field and the levels of turbulence implied by the observed polarization degree thus provide unique insights into the conditions leading to efficient particle acceleration in fast shocks. The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) has carried out observations of multiple young SNRs, including Cas A, Tycho, SN 1006, and RX J1713.7−3946. In each, significant X-ray polarization detections provide measurements of magnetic field properties that show some common behavior but also considerable differences between these SNRs. Here, we provide a summary of results from IXPE studies of young SNRs, providing comparisons between the observed polarization and the physical properties of the remnants and their environments.

X-ray spectropolarimetry of the bright atoll Serpens X-1

We present simultaneous X-ray polarimetric and spectral observations of the bright atoll source Ser X-1 carried out with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), NICER, and NuSTAR. We obtain an upper limit of 2% (99% confidence level) on the polarization degree in the 2–8 keV energy band. We detect four type-I X-ray bursts, two of which during the IXPE observation. This is the first time that has IXPE observed type-I X-ray bursts, and it allows us to place an upper limit on their polarization degree; however, due to the limited total number of counts in each burst, we obtain a relatively high upper limit (80%). We confirm the presence of reflection features in the X-ray spectrum, notably a broad iron line. Fitting the data with a relativistic reflection model, we derive a disk inclination of 25°. The spectral and polarization properties are comparable with other atolls observed by IXPE, suggesting a similar accretion geometry, and the relatively low polarization is consistent with the low inclination.

X-Ray and Multiwavelength Polarization of Mrk 501 from 2022 to 2023

We present multiwavelength polarization measurements of the luminous blazar Mrk 501 over a 14 month period. The 2–8 keV X-ray polarization was measured with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) with six 100 ks observations spanning from 2022 March to 2023 April. Each IXPE observation was accompanied by simultaneous X-ray data from NuSTAR, Swift/XRT, and/or XMM-Newton. Complementary optical–infrared polarization measurements were also available in the B, V, R, I, and J bands, as were radio polarization measurements from 4.85 GHz to 225.5 GHz. Among the first five IXPE observations, we did not find significant variability in the X-ray polarization degree and angle with IXPE. However, the most recent sixth observation found an elevated polarization degree at >3σ above the average of the other five observations. The optical and radio measurements show no apparent correlations with the X-ray polarization properties. Throughout the six IXPE observations, the X-ray polarization degree remained higher than, or similar to, the R-band optical polarization degree, which remained higher than the radio value. This is consistent with the energy-stratified shock scenario proposed to explain the first two IXPE observations, in which the polarized X-ray, optical, and radio emission arises from different regions.

A Comparison of the X-Ray Polarimetric Properties of Stellar and Supermassive Black Holes

X-ray polarization provides a new way to probe accretion geometry in black hole systems. If the accretion geometry of black holes is similar regardless of mass, we should expect the same to be true of their polarization properties. We compare the polarimetric properties of all nonblazar black holes observed with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer. We find that their polarization properties are very similar, particularly in the hard state, where the corona dominates. This tentatively supports the idea that stellar and supermassive black holes share a common coronal geometry.

Magnetic Field Geometry of the Gamma-Ray Binary PSR B1259–63 Revealed via X-Ray Polarization

Some X-ray binaries containing an energetic pulsar in orbit around a normal star accelerate particles to high energies in the shock cone formed where the pulsar and stellar winds collide. The magnetic field geometry in the acceleration region in such binaries is unknown. We performed the first measurement of the polarization of the X-ray synchrotron emission from a gamma-ray-emitting binary system. We observed PSR B1259–63 with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer during an X-ray bright phase following the periastron passage in 2024 June. X-ray polarization is detected with a polarization degree of 8.3% ± 1.5% at a significance of 5.3σ. The X-ray polarization angle is aligned with the axis of the shock cone at the time of the observation. This indicates that the predominant component of the magnetic field in the acceleration region is oriented perpendicular to the shock-cone axis.

Multifrequency polarimetry of high-synchrotron peaked blazars probes the shape of their jets

Multifrequency polarimetry is emerging as a powerful probe of blazar jets, especially with the advent of the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) space observatory. We studied the polarization of high-synchrotron peaked (HSP) blazars, for which both optical and X-ray emission can be attributed to synchrotron radiation from a population of nonthermal electrons. We adopted an axisymmetric stationary force-free jet model in which the electromagnetic fields are determined by the jet shape. When the jet is nearly parabolic, the X-ray polarization degree is ΠX ∼ 15–50%, and the optical polarization degree is ΠO ∼ 5–25%. The polarization degree is strongly chromatic: ΠX/ΠO ∼ 2–9. This chromaticity is due to the softening of the electron distribution at high energies, and is much stronger than for a uniform magnetic field. The electric vector position angle (EVPA) is aligned with the projection of the jet axis on the plane of the sky. These results compare very well with multifrequency polarimetric observations of HSP blazars. When the jet is instead nearly cylindrical, the polarization degree is large and weakly chromatic (we find ΠX ∼ 70% and ΠO ∼ 60%, close to the expected values for a uniform magnetic field). The EVPA is perpendicular to the projection of the jet axis on the plane of the sky. A cylindrical geometry is therefore practically ruled out by current observations. The polarization degree and the EVPA may be less sensitive to the specific particle acceleration process (e.g., magnetic reconnection or shocks) than previously thought.