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X-ray Polarimetry of X-ray Pulsars

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arxiv 2408.04431 v1 pith:PSW4B72L submitted 2024-08-08 astro-ph.HE astro-ph.SR

classification astro-ph.HEastro-ph.SR
keywords x-raypulsarsallowedixpepolarizationpolarizedshowedaccretion
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Radiation from X-ray pulsars (XRPs) was expected to be strongly linearly polarized owing to a large difference in their ordinary and extraordinary mode opacities. The launch of IXPE allowed us to check this prediction. IXPE observed a dozen X-ray pulsars, discovering pulse-phase dependent variation of the polarization degree (PD) and polarization angle (PA). Although the PD showed rather erratic profiles resembling flux pulse dependence, the PA in most cases showed smooth variations consistent with the rotating vector model (RVM), which can be interpreted as a combined effect of vacuum birefringence and dipole magnetic field structure at a polarization-limiting (adiabatic) radius. Application of the RVM allowed us to determine XRP geometry and to confirm the free precession of the NS in Her X-1. Deviations from RVM in two bright transients led to the discovery of an unpulsed polarized emission likely produced by scattering off the accretion disk wind.

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Cited by 2 Pith papers

Reviewed papers in the Pith corpus that reference this work. Sorted by Pith novelty score. Full citation record

  1. Physics of Strong Magnetism with eXTP

    astro-ph.HE 2025-06 unverdicted novelty 3.0 of 10

    The eXTP mission's planned instruments would enable more sensitive X-ray polarization and timing observations of magnetars and accreting pulsars, potentially testing vacuum birefringence and probing magnetic field structures.

  2. X-Ray Views of Galactic Accreting Pulsars in High-Mass X-Ray Binaries

    astro-ph.HE 2024-12 accept novelty 1.0 of 10

    A concise review of the timing, spectral, and polarization properties of accreting X-ray pulsars in high-mass X-ray binaries, including recent IXPE results.

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