TY - JOUR

T1 - Modeling the Time-Dependent Polarization of Blazars

AU - Marscher, Alan P.

AU - Jorstad, Svetlana G.

AU - Williamson, Karen E.

PY - 2017/12

Y1 - 2017/12

N2 - Linear polarization is an extremely valuable observational tool for probing the dynamic physical conditions of blazar jets. Some patterns are seen in the data, suggestive of order that can be explained by shock waves and helical magnetic field components. However, much disorder is apparent, which implies that turbulence plays a major role as well, especially in the fluctuations of flux and polarization, and perhaps particle acceleration. Here, we present some actual flux and polarization versus time data, plus simulations of model jets. We analyze the output of the simulations in a manner that can be compared with observational data. The results suggest that the ratio of turbulent to ordered magnetic fields varies with time.

AB - Linear polarization is an extremely valuable observational tool for probing the dynamic physical conditions of blazar jets. Some patterns are seen in the data, suggestive of order that can be explained by shock waves and helical magnetic field components. However, much disorder is apparent, which implies that turbulence plays a major role as well, especially in the fluctuations of flux and polarization, and perhaps particle acceleration. Here, we present some actual flux and polarization versus time data, plus simulations of model jets. We analyze the output of the simulations in a manner that can be compared with observational data. The results suggest that the ratio of turbulent to ordered magnetic fields varies with time.

KW - galaxies: active

KW - galaxies: jets

KW - quasars: general

KW - BL Lacertae objects: general

U2 - 10.3390/galaxies5040063

DO - 10.3390/galaxies5040063

M3 - статья

VL - 5

JO - Galaxies

JF - Galaxies

SN - 2075-4434

IS - 4

M1 - 63

ER -