Probing Extreme Gravity with X-ray Polarization

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

In the coming years, new space missions may well be able to measure X-ray polarization at levels of 1% or better in the 1-10 keV energy band. This region of the spectrum is critical for observing emission from magnetars, X-ray binaries, supernova remnants, and AGN. In particular, we propose that X-ray polarization may be an ideal tool for determining the nature of black hole accretion disks surrounded by hot coronae. Using a Monte Carlo radiation transport code in full general relativity, we calculate the spectra and polarization features of these black hole systems. At low energies, the signal is dominated by the thermal flux coming directly from the optically thick disk. At higher energy, the thermal seed photons have been inverse-Compton scattered by the corona, often reflecting back off the disk before reaching the observer, giving a distinctive polarization signature. By measuring the degree and angle of this X-ray polarization, we can infer the emission geometry of the accretion flow and in turn may be able to determine the spin of the black hole.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Probing Extreme Gravity with X-ray Polarization does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Probing Extreme Gravity with X-ray Polarization, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Probing Extreme Gravity with X-ray Polarization will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1094757

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.