Probing the micro- and macro-physics of AGN jets through multi-wavelength linear and circular polarization monitoring
Abstract
As magnetized relativistic plasma systems, AGN jets emit synchrotron radiation that is intrinsically both linearly and circularly polarized (LP \& CP). As a result, the polarization parameters are tightly connected to the jet physical conditions (e.g. magnetic field strength \& topology, plasma opacity \& composition) and their evolution traces the variability mechanisms that give rise to outbursts from radio to gamma-rays. Here, I will present constraints on the micro- and macro-physics of jets based on high-cadence, multi-wavelength LP and CP monitoring datasets that have been established through recently developed techniques for high precision and high angular resolution polarimetry. In addition, I will discuss the power of synergy between single dish and interferometric instruments as well as full-Stokes radiative transfer models to overcome the inherent degeneracies in polarization studies and recover a coherent view for the physical conditions, emission and variability processes in AGN jets.
- Publication:
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43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly. Held 28 January - 4 February
- Pub Date:
- January 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021cosp...43E1432M