Polarized x-rays from a magnetar
Polarized x-rays from a magnetar
复制标题
来自磁星的偏振 X 射线
DOI：
10.1126/science.add0080
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发表时间：
2022
期刊：
影响因子：
56.9
通讯作者：
Taverna Roberto et al.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Hasegawa Takeshi;Greve Annika;Gravley Darren M.;Kusu Chie;Kaneda Yasuaki;Shibata Shohei;Okada Makoto;K?sik Szabolcs;Mochizuki Nobutatsu;Turner Gillian;Taverna Roberto et al.
磁星是具有超强磁场的中子星，可以在x射线中观察到。偏振测量可以提供关于它们的磁场和表面特性的信息。利用成像x射线偏振探测仪观测磁星4U 0142+61的偏振x射线，发现在2 ~ 8千电子伏特波段，平均线极化度为13.5±0.8%。极化度随能量变化，在2 ~4千电子伏特时为15.0±1.0%，低于仪器灵敏度~4 ~ 5千电子伏特时下降，在5.5 ~ 8千电子伏特时上升至35.2±7.1%。在~4 ~ 5千电子伏特时，极化角也变化90°。这些结果与磁星表面的热辐射通过磁层中带电粒子的散射而被重新处理的模型相一致。
Magnetars are neutron stars with ultrastrong magnetic fields, which can be observed in x-rays. Polarization measurements could provide information on their magnetic fields and surface properties. We observed polarized x-rays from the magnetar 4U 0142+61 using the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer and found a linear polarization degree of 13.5 ± 0.8% averaged over the 2– to 8–kilo–electron volt band. The polarization changes with energy: The degree is 15.0 ± 1.0% at 2 to 4 kilo–electron volts, drops below the instrumental sensitivity ~4 to 5 kilo–electron volts, and rises to 35.2 ± 7.1% at 5.5 to 8 kilo–electron volts. The polarization angle also changes by 90° at ~4 to 5 kilo–electron volts. These results are consistent with a model in which thermal radiation from the magnetar surface is reprocessed by scattering off charged particles in the magnetosphere.