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Polarimetry and the High-Energy Emission Mechanisms in Quasar Jets
- Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- The emission mechanisms in extragalactic jets include synchrotron and various inverse-Compton processes. At low (radio through infrared) energies, it is widely agreed that synchrotron emission dominates in both low-power (FR I) and high-power (FR II and quasar) jets, because of the power-law nature of the spectra observed and high polarizations. However, at higher energies, the emission mechanism for high-power jets at kpc scales is hotly debated. Two mechanisms have been proposed: either inverse-Compton of cosmic microwave background photons or synchrotron emission from a second, high-energy population of electrons. Here we discuss optical polarimetry as a method for diagnosing the mechanism for the high-energy emission in quasar jets, as well as revealing the jet's three-dimensional energetic and magnetic field structure. We then discuss high-energy emission mechanisms for powerful jets in the light of the HST polarimetry of PKS 1136-135.<br />4 pages, 1 figure. To appear in proceedings of "The Monster's Fiery Breath: Feedback in galaxies, groups, and clusters" meeting, June 1-5, 2009 held in Madison, WI, USA
- Subjects :
- Physics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena (astro-ph.HE)
education.field_of_study
Photon
Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO)
Infrared
Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Cosmic microwave background
Dark matter
Population
Polarimetry
FOS: Physical sciences
Quasar
Astrophysics
Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
Synchrotron
law.invention
law
education
Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Astrophysics::Galaxy Astrophysics
Astrophysics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....14590855be28683742edf27b1915f8a8