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arxiv: 2606.07919 · v1 · pith:BHY5RLP6new · submitted 2026-06-06 · 🌌 astro-ph.CO

Faraday Complexity and Depolarisation in a High-Rotation-Measure Radio Galaxy from the Spectra and Polarisation In Cutouts of Extragalactic Sources (SPICE-RACS) DR2

classification 🌌 astro-ph.CO
keywords faradaysigmacomplexitycomponentdepolarizationextragalacticradiospice-racs
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We present a broadband spectro-polarimetric analysis of the extragalactic radio source \texttt{RACS\_0900-28\_7036} using SPICE-RACS DR2 observations with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP). The source was selected for its large rotation measure (${\rm RM}=345.7\pm0.2~{\rm rad~m^{-2}}$), substantial excess relative to the local foreground ($\Delta {\rm RM}\approx171~{\rm rad~m^{-2}}$), and strong evidence of Faraday complexity ($\sigma_{\rm add}/\delta\sigma_{\rm add}\approx8.6$). Observations span 803--1083~MHz in 36 spectral channels, enabling detailed characterization of Faraday rotation and wavelength-dependent depolarization. One-dimensional $q$-$u$ fitting and Bayesian model selection identify a multi-component model comprising one Burn-slab component and two external Faraday dispersion components (1 Slab + 2 EFD) as the preferred description. The dominant astrophysical component exhibits ${\rm RM}\approx345.5~{\rm rad~m^{-2}}$ with modest Faraday dispersion ($\sigma_{\rm RM}\approx3~{\rm rad~m^{-2}}$), while a secondary broader component at ${\rm RM}\approx131.5~{\rm rad~m^{-2}}$ shows strong depolarization ($\sigma_{\rm RM}\approx19.5~{\rm rad~m^{-2}}$). The fractional polarization spectrum and $q$--$u$ plane evolution further confirm multiple Faraday-active regions along the line of sight. These results demonstrate that ASKAP broadband spectropolarimetry can resolve complex Faraday structures and probe turbulent magnetized environments, providing a framework for systematic depolarization studies across the full SPICE-RACS catalog and enabling statistical investigations of Faraday complexity in diverse extragalactic radio sources.

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