X-ray Polarization from Black Holes in the Thermal State

Details X-ray Polarization from Black Holes in the Thermal State X-ray Polarization from Black Holes in the Thermal State

2009-06-02

arxiv.org/abs/0906.0559v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena

6 pages, 3 figures, proceedings of "The Coming of Age of X-ray Polarimetry," Rome, Italy, April 27-30, 2009

Scientific paper

We present new calculations of X-ray polarization from black hole accretion disks in the thermally-dominated state, using a Monte-Carlo ray-tracing code in full general relativity. In contrast to many previously published studies, our approach allows us to include returning radiation that is deflected by the strong-field gravity of the BH and scatters off of the disk before reaching a distant observer. Although carrying a relatively small fraction of the total observed flux, the scattered radiation tends to be highly polarized and in a direction perpendicular to the direct radiation. We show how these new features of the polarization spectra may be developed into a powerful tool for measuring black hole spin and probing the gas flow in the innermost disk.

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