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.

arXiv comment12 pages, 7 figures, Neutron Star Astrophysics at the Crossroads: Magnetars and the Multimessenger Revolution, Proceedings IAU Symposium No. 363, 2022, E. Troja & M. Baring, eds

References in corpus (13)

• X-ray spectra from magnetar candidates. I. Monte Carlo simulations in the non-relativistic regime
• Resonant Cyclotron Scattering in Three Dimensions and the Quiescent Non-thermal X-ray Emission of Magnetars
• Condensed Surfaces of Magnetic Neutron Stars, Thermal Surface Emission, and Particle Acceleration Above Pulsar Polar Caps
• QED and the High Polarization of the Thermal Radiation from Neutron Stars
• Radiation from condensed surface of magnetic neutron stars
• X-ray spectra from magnetar candidates - III. Fitting SGRs/AXPs soft X-ray emission with non-relativistic Monte Carlo models
• The X-Ray Polarization Signature of Quiescent Magnetars: Effect of Magnetospheric Scattering and Vacuum Polarization
• Polarized thermal emission from X-ray Dim Isolated Neutron Stars: the case of RX J1856.5-3754
• Magnetic Lensing near Ultramagnetized Neutron Stars
• Radiative properties of magnetic neutron stars with metallic surfaces and thin atmospheres
• RCW 103 -- Revisiting a cooling neutron star
• Compositional Freeze-Out of Neutron Star Crusts
• Probing Black Hole Magnetic Fields with QED