X-ray Polarimetry: A New Window in Astrophysics (Cambridge Contemporary Astrophysics)

Due To The Advent Of A New Generation Of Detectors, X-ray Polarimetry Promises To Join X-ray Imaging, Spectroscopy And Timing As One Of The Main Observational Techniques In High Energy Astrophysics. This Has Renewed Interest In The Field, And Indeed Several Polarimetric Missions Have Recently Been Proposed. This Volume Provides A Complete And Up-to-date View Of The Subject For Researchers In Astrophysics. The Contributors Discuss The Present Status And Perspectives Of Instruments, Review Current Theoretical Models, And Examine Future Missions. As Well As Detailed Papers, The Book Contains Broad Reviews That Can Be Easily Understood By Astrophysicists New To The Field-- Machine Generated Contents Note: 1. X-ray Polarimetry: Historical Remarks And Other Considerations; Part I. Polarimetry Techniques: 2. Scattering Polarimetry In High Energy Astronomy; 3. Photoelectric Polarimeters; 4. Bragg Crystal Polarimeters; 5. X-ray Polarimetry With The Photon Counting Pixel Detector Timepix; 6. He Polarized Photon Interactions With Matter: Simulations With Geant4; 7. The Gpd As A Polarimeter: Theory And Facts; 8. Ideal Gas Electron Multipliers (gems) For X-ray Polarimeters; 9. Broad-band Soft X-ray Polarimetry; 10. Feasibility Of X-ray Photoelectric Polarimeters With Large Field Of View; 11. Angular Resolution Of A Photoelectric Polarimeter; 12. Development Of A Thomson X-ray Polarimeter; 13. Hard X / Soft Gamma Ray Polarimetry Using A Laue Lens; Part Ii. Polarized Emission In X-ray Sources: 14. Probing Strong Gravity Effects With X-ray Polarimetry; 15. X-ray Polarization From Black Holes In The Thermal State; 16. Strong-gravity Effects Acting On Polarization From Orbiting Spots; 17. Polarization Of Thermal Emission From Accreting Black Holes; 18. X-ray Polarimetry And Radio-quiet Agn; 19. The Soft X-ray Polarization In Obscured Agn; 20. The Polarization Of Complex X-ray Sources; 21. Polarization Of Compton X-rays From Jets In Agn; 22. Polarization Of X-ray Lines From Galaxy Clusters And Elliptical Galaxies; 23. Polarization Characteristics Of Rotation-powered Pulsars; 24. Polarized X-rays From Magnetized Neutron Stars; 25. Polarization Properties Of X-ray Millisecond Pulsars; 26. X-ray Polarization Signatures Of Neutron Stars; 27. Polarization From The Oscillating Magnetized Accretion Torus; 28. X-ray Polarization From Accreting White Dwarfs And Associated Systems; 29. Polarization Of Pulsar Wind Nebulae; 30. X-ray Polarization Of Gamma-ray Bursts; 31. Central Engine Afterglow From Grbs And The Polarization Signature; 32. Grb Afterglow Polarimetry. Past, Present And Future; 33. Gamma-ray Polarimetry With Spi; 34. Integral/ibis Observations Of The Crab Nebula And Grb 041219a; 35. Fermi Results On The Origin Of High Energy Emission In Pulsars; 36. Diagnostics Of The Evolution Of Spiral Galaxies In A Cluster Environment; Part Iii. Future Missions: 37. Gravity And Extreme Magnetism Smex (gems); 38. Programs Of X-ray Polarimetry In Italy; 39. A Polarimeter For Ixo; 40. Polarimetry With Astro-h Soft Gamma-ray Detector; 41. Exist And Its Polarization Sensitivity; 42. Pogolite: A Balloon-borne Soft Gamma-ray Polarimeter; 43. Studies Of Neutron Background Rejection In The Pogolite Polarimeter; 44. Observing Polarized X-rays With Pogolite; 45. Pre-flight Qualification Tests Of The Pogolite Detector System; 46. The Gamma-ray Polarimeter Experiment (grape) Balloon Payload; 47. Polar: An Instrument Dedicated To Grb Polarization Measurement; 48. Polarisation Detection Capability Of Grips; 49. X-ray And Y-ray Polarimetry Small Satellite Mission Polaris; 50. Gap Aboard The Solar Powered Sail Mission; 51. Hard X-ray Polarimeter For Small Satellite Missions; 52. Performance Of Hard X-ray Polarimeter: Phenex; 53. Grb Polarimetry With Poet; Index. Edited By Ronaldo Bellazzini ... [et Al.]. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover......Page 1 Half-title......Page 3 Title......Page 5 Copyright......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 Contributors......Page 11 Preface......Page 21 1.1.1 History......Page 25 1.2 Instrumental approaches......Page 26 1.2.2 Scattering polarimeters......Page 27 1.3.1 Photoelectron tracking......Page 28 1.3.2 Transmission filters......Page 30 References......Page 31 Part I Polarimetry techniques......Page 33 2.2 Experimental considerations......Page 35 2.3.1 RHESSI......Page 37 2.3.2 INTEGRAL......Page 38 2.4 Summary of upcoming missions......Page 39 References......Page 41 3.1 Introduction......Page 43 3.2 Polarization vs photoelectric effect......Page 44 3.3 Semiconductor-based polarimeters......Page 45 3.4 Gas-based polarimeters......Page 47 3.4.1 GEM-based micro-pattern polarimeters......Page 49 3.4.2 Micro-pattern TPC polarimeter......Page 55 References......Page 57 4.1 Introduction......Page 58 4.2 Bragg crystal polarizers......Page 59 4.3 Polarimetric sensitivity and control of systematic effects......Page 62 4.4 The Astrophysical Polarimetric EXplorer(APEX): an optimized Bragg crystal polarimeter......Page 63 References......Page 65 5.1 Introduction......Page 66 5.2 Experimental setup, simulation and measurements......Page 67 References......Page 71 6.1 Introduction......Page 72 6.2 Polarized photon interactions in Geant4......Page 73 6.3.1 Pair production in the electric field of the nucleus......Page 74 6.3.2 Pair production in the electric field of the electrons......Page 75 References......Page 77 7.1 Introduction......Page 78 7.2 Measurement of the modulation factor at two energies......Page 79 7.4 Characterization of the GPD on its detecting surface......Page 80 7.4.2 Position resolution......Page 81 References......Page 83 8.1 Introduction......Page 84 8.2.2 Gain stability......Page 85 8.2.3 Gain uniformity......Page 86 8.3.2 Heavy ion irradiation......Page 87 8.4 Summary and perspectives......Page 88 References......Page 89 9.1 Introduction......Page 90 9.4 Basis of a soft X-ray polarimeter......Page 91 9.5 A soft X-ray polarimeter prototyping facility......Page 93 References......Page 95 10.1 The photoelectric differential cross section......Page 96 10.2 The modulation curve for on-axis photons......Page 97 10.4 Measurements......Page 99 10.5 Conclusions......Page 101 References......Page 102 11.1 Introduction......Page 103 11.2 Resolution calculation and related simulation software......Page 104 Notes......Page 105 References......Page 106 12.1 Introduction......Page 107 12.2 Thomson X-ray polarimeter design......Page 108 12.3 Test and calibration system......Page 109 Acknowledgements......Page 110 References......Page 111 13.1 Introduction......Page 112 13.2.1 Laue lens......Page 113 13.2.2 Focal plane instrument......Page 114 References......Page 115 Part II Polarized emission in X-ray sources......Page 117 14.1 Introduction......Page 119 14.2 The observed radiation......Page 120 14.4 The transfer function......Page 121 14.5 The change of the polarization angle......Page 123 14.6 Conclusions......Page 126 15.1 Introduction......Page 127 15.2 Direct radiation......Page 128 15.3 Returning radiation......Page 130 15.4 Discussion......Page 131 References......Page 132 16.1 Introduction......Page 133 16.2 Polarization from black hole accretion discs......Page 134 16.3 Time-varying polarization from orbiting spots......Page 135 References......Page 139 17.1 Introduction......Page 141 17.2 Polarization angle and degree of polarization at detector......Page 142 References......Page 145 18.1 Introduction......Page 146 18.2.1 The primary emission......Page 147 18.2.2 Probing strong gravity......Page 148 18.3 Reflection from distant matter......Page 149 18.4 The Galactic Centre: a transient AGN?......Page 150 18.5 Observational perspectives......Page 151 References......Page 152 19.1 Introduction......Page 154 19.2 The photoionization signatures......Page 155 19.4 Polarization......Page 156 References......Page 158 20.1 Introduction......Page 160 20.2 X-ray polarization spectra of cold reprocessing disks......Page 161 20.3 A small disk and an obscuring torus......Page 163 20.4 Summary and perspectives......Page 164 References......Page 165 21.1 Introduction......Page 166 21.2 Models......Page 167 21.3 Results and discussions......Page 168 References......Page 169 22.1 Introduction......Page 170 22.3 Three-dimensional problem......Page 171 References......Page 173 23.1 Introduction......Page 174 23.3 Intrinsic polarization of radiation......Page 175 23.4 High-energy emission models......Page 176 23.6 Polarization in high-energy emission models......Page 177 References......Page 179 24.1 Introduction......Page 181 24.2 Polarized X-rays from NSs: basics......Page 182 24.3 QED effects on X-ray polarization signals......Page 183 24.3.1 QED effect in NS atmospheres......Page 184 24.3.2 QED effect in magnetospheres: polarization evolution......Page 186 24.4 Probing axions with polarized X-rays......Page 189 References......Page 190 25.1 Introduction......Page 192 25.2.1 Polarization in single Compton scattering......Page 193 25.2.3 Comptonization in optically thin atmosphere......Page 194 25.3.1 Relativistic rotating vector model......Page 195 25.3.2 Polarization properties of NMSP......Page 197 25.3.3 Polarization properties of accreting millisecond pulsars......Page 198 References......Page 199 26.1 Introduction......Page 200 26.2 Polarization near neutron-star surface......Page 201 26.3 Magnetospheric effects......Page 203 References......Page 205 27.1 Introduction and model description......Page 206 27.3 Polarization changes due to torus oscillations......Page 207 References......Page 210 28.1 Introduction......Page 211 28.2.1 X-ray polarization in magnetic cataclysmic variables......Page 213 28.2.2 X-ray polarization in ultra-compact double degenerates......Page 216 References......Page 218 29.1 Introduction......Page 219 29.2 The MHD model......Page 220 29.3 Polarization......Page 222 29.4 Conclusion......Page 224 References......Page 225 30.1 Introduction......Page 226 30.2 Prompt emission......Page 227 30.3 Afterglow......Page 230 30.5 Discussion......Page 231 References......Page 232 31.1 The central engine afterglow......Page 233 31.2.1 Significantly polarized central engine afterglow?......Page 235 31.2.2 Strong polarization evolution accompanying the sharp decline of the prompt X-ray emission and the flares?......Page 236 31.3 Discussion......Page 237 References......Page 238 32.1 Introduction......Page 239 32.2.1 GRB afterglows polarization......Page 240 32.2.3 Afterglow polarization and the geometry of GRB jets......Page 241 32.3 Swift and the early afterglow......Page 242 32.3.1 Early afterglow observations......Page 243 References......Page 244 33.1 Introduction......Page 246 33.2 The polarization analysis technique......Page 247 33.4 The source of the -ray emission within the Crab nebula......Page 248 33.5 Future -ray polarization measurements......Page 251 References......Page 252 34.1 Introduction......Page 254 34.2 Polarimetry with the INTEGRAL/IBIS Compton mode......Page 255 34.3 Calibration and performances of the IBIS/Compton polarimeter......Page 256 34.4 Crab observations......Page 257 34.5 Observation of variable polarization from GRB 041219A......Page 260 References......Page 261 35.2 J2021+3651......Page 262 35.3 Vela pulsar......Page 263 35.4 J0030+451......Page 264 References......Page 266 36.1 Introduction......Page 267 36.2 Virgo spirals in the hot ICM......Page 268 36.3 Summary and outlook......Page 270 References......Page 271 Part III Future missions......Page 273 37 Future missions......Page 275 37.2.1 A sensitive survey......Page 276 37.2.2 Black holes......Page 277 37.2.4 Supernova remnants......Page 278 37.3.1 X-ray polarimeter instrument......Page 279 37.3.2 Mission design......Page 280 37.4 Polarimeter performance......Page 281 References......Page 282 38.1 The national context......Page 284 38.2 The POLARIX mission......Page 286 38.2.1 The payload......Page 287 38.2.2 The bus and the mission......Page 288 38.2.3 The ground segment, the user segment, the data......Page 289 38.2.4 The performance......Page 290 38.3 Another pathfinder option: HXMT......Page 291 References......Page 292 39.1 XPOL on the IXO focal plane......Page 293 39.2 The XPOL configuration......Page 295 39.3 Space environmental tests: vibration tests......Page 296 39.5 Space environmental tests: heavily ionizing particles test.......Page 297 References......Page 298 40.1 Introduction......Page 299 40.2 SGD instrument design......Page 300 40.3 Expected performance......Page 302 40.4 Experimental validation......Page 304 Notes......Page 306 References......Page 307 41 The Energetic X-ray Imaging Survey Telescope and its polarization sensitivity......Page 308 41.1 Introduction......Page 309 41.3 Hard X-ray polarimetry with EXIST......Page 310 41.3.1 Estimate of the polarization sensitivity based on detector simulations......Page 311 41.4 Hard X-ray polarimetry with EXIST: science topics......Page 312 41.5 Summary and conclusions......Page 313 References......Page 314 42.1 Introduction......Page 315 42.2 Instrument design......Page 316 42.3 Expected performance......Page 317 42.4 The PoGOLite pathfinder mission in 2010......Page 318 42.4.1 Attitude control system......Page 319 42.4.2 Maiden balloon fiight, and future plans......Page 320 Notes......Page 321 References......Page 322 43 Studies of neutron background rejection in the PoGOLite polarimeter......Page 323 43.1 Introduction......Page 324 43.3 Neutron beam test......Page 325 43.4 Neutron beam test simulation......Page 326 43.5 Conclusions......Page 327 References......Page 328 44.2 X-ray emission from pulsars......Page 329 44.3 Accreting black holes......Page 331 References......Page 332 45.2 PDC testing......Page 333 45.2.3 BGO crystal (PDC) tests......Page 334 45.4 Selection procedures and results......Page 336 References......Page 337 46.1 Introduction......Page 338 46.2 The GRAPE instrument......Page 339 46.3 Beam calibration......Page 341 46.5 GRAPE science payload......Page 343 References......Page 345 47.1 Introduction......Page 346 47.2 The POLAR concept......Page 347 47.4 The POLAR detector......Page 348 47.5 Status of POLAR module tests......Page 349 References......Page 350 48.1 Introduction......Page 351 48.2 The gamma-ray monitor instrument concept......Page 352 48.3 The simulated performance......Page 353 48.5 Pulsars, AXPs, and SGRs......Page 355 References......Page 356 49.1 PolariS concept......Page 357 49.2 PolariS design and components......Page 358 49.2.3 Gas imaging polarimeter......Page 359 49.2.4 Scattering imaging polarimeters......Page 360 References......Page 362 50.1 Introduction......Page 363 50.3 Gamma-ray burst polarimeter – GAP......Page 364 50.4 Experiments with highly polarized X-rays......Page 366 50.5.1 Gamma-ray bursts and soft gamma-ray repeaters......Page 367 References......Page 368 51.1 Introduction......Page 369 51.3 The response function and sensitivity of the detector......Page 370 References......Page 373 52.1 Introduction......Page 374 52.3 Expected performances......Page 375 52.4 Conclusion......Page 377 References......Page 378 53.1 Introduction......Page 379 53.3 Gamma-Ray Polarimeter Experiment (GRAPE)......Page 380 53.4 The POET MIssion......Page 381 References......Page 382 Author index......Page 383 Subject index......Page 385 "Due to the advent of a new generation of detectors, X-ray polarimetry promises to join X-ray imaging, spectroscopy and timing as one of the main observational techniques in high energy astrophysics. This has renewed interest in the field, and indeed several polarimetric missions have recently been proposed. This volume provides a complete and up-to-date view of the subject for researchers in astrophysics. The contributors discuss the present status and perspectives of instruments, review current theoretical models, and examine future missions. As well as detailed papers, the book contains broad reviews that can be easily understood by astrophysicists new to the field"--Résumé de l'éditeur