X-ray Polarization at the Crossroads
Abstract
We argue that measurements of X-ray polarization using the recently launched Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer will answer many open questions about magnetars in particular the physical state of their surfaces, whether vacuum birefringence exists, and the nature of the hard X-ray emission from these objects. We outline the capabilities of the instrument, specific models and the results of simulations for the magnetar 4U~0142+61.
- Publication:
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arXiv e-prints
- Pub Date:
- March 2022
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2203.09066
- Bibcode:
- 2022arXiv220309066H
- Keywords:
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- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena;
- Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 12 pages, 7 figures, Neutron Star Astrophysics at the Crossroads: Magnetars and the Multimessenger Revolution, Proceedings IAU Symposium No. 363, 2022, E. Troja &
