Open Collections

IXPE Observations of Magnetar Sources

Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute

Among the more than 60 sources observed in the first two years of operations, IXPE addressed four magnetars, neutron stars believed to host ultra-strong magnetic fields. We report here the main implication coming from IXPE measurements for the physics of magnetars. Polarimetric observations confirmed the expectations of high polarization degrees, up to ≈80%, values which have not been detected in any other source so far, providing further proof (independent from the P-P˙ estimate) that magnetars host indeed ultra-magnetized neutron stars. Polarization measurements also indicate that softer X-rays likely come from surface regions where the overlying atmosphere underwent magnetic condensation. The agreement of the phase-dependent polarization angle with a simple rotating vector model strongly supports the presence of vacuum birefringence around the star.

Article

eng

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0447136

Science, Faculty of; Non UBC; Physics and Astronomy, Department of

10.3390/galaxies12050053

Faculty

DSpace