Circular polarization in relativistic jets

Circular polarization is observed in some relativistic jet sources at radio wavelengths. It is largely associated with activity in the cores of the radio sources, is highly variable, and is strongest during ejection episodes. VLBI imaging and interstellar scintillation arguments show that the degree...

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Main Author: Macquart, Jean-Pierre
Format: Journal Article
Published: Elsevier 2003
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/4862
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author Macquart, Jean-Pierre
author_facet Macquart, Jean-Pierre
author_sort Macquart, Jean-Pierre
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Circular polarization is observed in some relativistic jet sources at radio wavelengths. It is largely associated with activity in the cores of the radio sources, is highly variable, and is strongest during ejection episodes. VLBI imaging and interstellar scintillation arguments show that the degree of circular polarization is as high a few percent in some sources, and is associated with milliarcsecond and microarcsecond source structure. The circular polarization most likely originates as a result of conversion of linear polarization in the relativistic plasma surrounding the source. However, cyclotron orsynchrotron emission can account for the magnitude of the circular polarization observed in some Galactic jet sources.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-48622017-09-13T16:02:57Z Circular polarization in relativistic jets Macquart, Jean-Pierre Radiation mechanisms: nonthermal Polarization Circular polarization is observed in some relativistic jet sources at radio wavelengths. It is largely associated with activity in the cores of the radio sources, is highly variable, and is strongest during ejection episodes. VLBI imaging and interstellar scintillation arguments show that the degree of circular polarization is as high a few percent in some sources, and is associated with milliarcsecond and microarcsecond source structure. The circular polarization most likely originates as a result of conversion of linear polarization in the relativistic plasma surrounding the source. However, cyclotron orsynchrotron emission can account for the magnitude of the circular polarization observed in some Galactic jet sources. 2003 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/4862 10.1016/S1387-6473(03)00104-0 Elsevier restricted
spellingShingle Radiation mechanisms: nonthermal
Polarization
Macquart, Jean-Pierre
Circular polarization in relativistic jets
title Circular polarization in relativistic jets
title_full Circular polarization in relativistic jets
title_fullStr Circular polarization in relativistic jets
title_full_unstemmed Circular polarization in relativistic jets
title_short Circular polarization in relativistic jets
title_sort circular polarization in relativistic jets
topic Radiation mechanisms: nonthermal
Polarization
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/4862