Large-amplitude Blazar Polarization Angle Swing as a Signature of Magnetic Reconnection
Abstract
We report that relativistic magnetic reconnection events may exist in magnetized plasmas in astrophysical systems. During this process, oppositely directed magnetic field lines reconnect and release magnetic energy, efficiently accelerating nonthermal particles. However, so far there is little clear observational signatures of relativistic magnetic reconnection events in astrophysical systems. Blazars are relativistic magnetized plasma outflows from supermassive black holes. Their multi-wavelength flares may be powered by relativistic magnetic reconnection. The highly variable radiation and polarization signatures are well covered by multi-wavelength observation campaigns, making them ideal targets to examine the magnetic reconnection model. Recent observations have found that several blazar flares are accompanied by optical polarization angle swings that may have an amplitude as large as >180°, challenging existing theoretical models. In this Letter, we present integrated particle-in-cell and polarized radiation transfer simulations of magnetic reconnection events. We find that plasmoid coalescences in the reconnection layer can give rise to highly variable light curves, low and fluctuating polarization degree, and rotating polarization angle. Lastly, in particular, large-amplitude polarization angle swings, similar to those observed during blazar flares, can be a unique signature of relativistic magnetic reconnection events.
- Authors:
-
[1];
[2];
[2];
- Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States)
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1484652
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-18-24854
Journal ID: ISSN 2041-8213
- Grant/Contract Number:
- 89233218CNA000001
- Resource Type:
- Journal Article: Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- The Astrophysical Journal. Letters
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 862; Journal Issue: 2; Journal ID: ISSN 2041-8213
- Publisher:
- Institute of Physics (IOP)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS; 70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
Citation Formats
Zhang, Haocheng, Li, Xiaocan, Guo, Fan, and Giannios, Dimitrios. Large-amplitude Blazar Polarization Angle Swing as a Signature of Magnetic Reconnection. United States: N. p., 2018.
Web. doi:10.3847/2041-8213/aad54f.
Zhang, Haocheng, Li, Xiaocan, Guo, Fan, & Giannios, Dimitrios. Large-amplitude Blazar Polarization Angle Swing as a Signature of Magnetic Reconnection. United States. doi:10.3847/2041-8213/aad54f.
Zhang, Haocheng, Li, Xiaocan, Guo, Fan, and Giannios, Dimitrios. Wed .
"Large-amplitude Blazar Polarization Angle Swing as a Signature of Magnetic Reconnection". United States. doi:10.3847/2041-8213/aad54f. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1484652.
@article{osti_1484652,
title = {Large-amplitude Blazar Polarization Angle Swing as a Signature of Magnetic Reconnection},
author = {Zhang, Haocheng and Li, Xiaocan and Guo, Fan and Giannios, Dimitrios},
abstractNote = {We report that relativistic magnetic reconnection events may exist in magnetized plasmas in astrophysical systems. During this process, oppositely directed magnetic field lines reconnect and release magnetic energy, efficiently accelerating nonthermal particles. However, so far there is little clear observational signatures of relativistic magnetic reconnection events in astrophysical systems. Blazars are relativistic magnetized plasma outflows from supermassive black holes. Their multi-wavelength flares may be powered by relativistic magnetic reconnection. The highly variable radiation and polarization signatures are well covered by multi-wavelength observation campaigns, making them ideal targets to examine the magnetic reconnection model. Recent observations have found that several blazar flares are accompanied by optical polarization angle swings that may have an amplitude as large as >180°, challenging existing theoretical models. In this Letter, we present integrated particle-in-cell and polarized radiation transfer simulations of magnetic reconnection events. We find that plasmoid coalescences in the reconnection layer can give rise to highly variable light curves, low and fluctuating polarization degree, and rotating polarization angle. Lastly, in particular, large-amplitude polarization angle swings, similar to those observed during blazar flares, can be a unique signature of relativistic magnetic reconnection events.},
doi = {10.3847/2041-8213/aad54f},
journal = {The Astrophysical Journal. Letters},
issn = {2041-8213},
number = 2,
volume = 862,
place = {United States},
year = {2018},
month = {8}
}
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