X-ray polarization from accretion disk winds

Abstract

X-ray polarimetry is a fine tool to probe the accretion geometry and physical processes operating in the proximity of compact objects, black holes and neutron stars. Recent discoveries made by the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer put our understanding of the accretion picture in question. The observed high levels of X-ray polarization in X-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei are challenging to achieve within the conventional scenarios. In this work we investigate a possibility that a fraction (or even all) of the observed polarized signal arises from scattering in the equatorial accretion disk winds, the slow and extended outflows, which are often detected in these systems via spectroscopic means. We find that the wind scattering can reproduce the levels of polarization observed in these sources.

Submitted to Astronomy & Astrophysics

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Cited by in corpus (12)

• Polarized radiation from the spreading layer of the weakly magnetized neutron stars
• Variability of X-ray polarization of Cyg X-1
• Accretion disc winds in X-ray binaries
• Polarized multiwavelength emission from pulsar wind - accretion disk interaction in a transitional millisecond pulsar
• X-ray spectropolarimetric characterization of the Z-source GX 340+0 in the normal branch
• Exploring polarization and geometry in the X-ray pulsar 4U 1538-52
• IXPE view of the Sco-like source GX 349+2 in the normal branch
• First Detection of X-ray Polarization and Its Short-term Increase Pre- and Post-Eclipse in HMXB 4U 1700-377
• The detection of high X-ray polarization from an accretion disc corona source and its modelling via Monte Carlo radiation transfer simulation
• Accretion Geometry of Black Hole X-ray Binaries: Insights from X-ray Observations
• Shape and ionization of equatorial matter near compact objects from X-ray polarization reflection signatures
• Optical polarimetry of the accreting black hole X-ray binary Swift J1727.8$-$1613 over the state transition and radio ejections