The IXPE Science of Pulsars and Their Nebulae

Autor: Niccolò Bucciantini, Roger W. Romani, Fei Xie, Josephine Wong
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Galaxies, Vol 12, Iss 4, p 45 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 12040045
2075-4434
DOI: 10.3390/galaxies12040045
Popis: Pulsars (PSRs) and Pulsar Wind Nebulae (PWNe) form some of the most interesting high-energy astrophysical systems. Their prominent synchrotron emission makes them ideal candidates for polarimetry. Here, after briefly summarizing the scientific rationale underpinning the importance of their polarimetric studies, we review the current status and achievements obtained by the IXPE mission. For the first time, we have space- and phase-resolved X-ray data that allow us to set constraints on the geometry and level of turbulence of the magnetic field which, in turn, can help us to better understand which acceleration and radiation model(s) might be at work in these systems. Interestingly, PWNe show a large variety in terms of polarization degree that might indicate key physical differences, still to be further investigated.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals