Multifrequency Circular Polarization Spectra as Probes of AGN Jet Physics

AST-0607523 Aller活动星系核（AGN）中喷流的一些基本性质，以及它们与大质量黑洞和吸积盘的物理联系，仍然是个谜。 该项目涉及对圆偏振射频发射的小分量的研究，这可以提供关于活动星系核演化中磁场的拓扑结构和作用以及发射区中相对论粒子的性质的重要线索。 这项工作使用了广泛的多频偏振在密歇根大学26米抛物面，结合在其他设施的选定的观测，研究偏振辐射的时间变化，并将其与辐射传输模型进行比较。 这些比较将确定磁场中的有序程度和发射粒子的真实身份，这对于理解大质量黑洞的环境和从中提取能量的机制至关重要，关于爆发期间活动物体独特测量的庞大和不断扩大的数据库将继续随时提供给其他研究人员进行独立的科学研究。 本科生和研究生，包括来自其他机构的一些学生，通过直接处理数据获得重要的经验，密歇根射电望远镜继续为未来的天文学家提供关键的培训。

AST-0607523AllerSome of the fundamental properties of the jets in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), and of their physical connection to the massive black holes and accretion disks which power and launch them, remain enigmatic. This project involves the study of the small component of circularly polarized radio frequency emission, which can provide important clues concerning the topology and role of the magnetic fields in AGN evolution, and the nature of the relativistic particles, in the emitting regions. This work uses extensive multi-frequency polarimetry at the University of Michigan 26-meter paraboloid, combined with selected observations at other facilities, to study the time variability of polarized radiation and compare it with radiative transfer models. These comparisons will determine the amount of order in the magnetic fields and the true identity of the emitting particles, which is central to understanding the environments of massive black holes and the mechanisms by which energy is extracted from them.The large and expanding database of unique measurements of active objects during outburst will continue to be made readily available to other researchers for independent scientific studies. Undergraduate and graduate students, including some from other institutions, gain important experience by working directly with data, and the Michigan radio telescope continues to provide critical training for future astronomers.