New Phenomena in Propagation of Radio Polarizations due to Magnetic Fields on Cosmological Scales

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1998 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.81.26· OSTI ID:638802

Ralston, J P ^[1]; Jain, P ^[2]; Nodland, B ^[3]

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1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66044 (United States)
2. Physics Department, I. I. T., Kanpur, (India) 208016
3. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627 (United States)

We discuss a new mechanism which could cause a rotation of polarization of electromagnetic waves due to magnetic fields on cosmological scales. The effect hinges on the geometrical phase of Pancharatnam and Berry, and causes a corkscrew twisting of the plane of polarization. The new effect represents an additional tool that allows possible intergalactic and cosmological magnetic fields to be studied using radio propagation. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}

• Research Organization: University of Kansas
• DOE Contract Number: FG02-85ER40214
• OSTI ID: 638802
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 81, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: Jul 1998
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
COSMOLOGY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
POLARIZATION
ROTATION
INTERSTELLAR MAGNETIC FIELDS
WAVE PROPAGATION
GALAXIES
WAVELENGTHS
FARADAY EFFECT
HELICITY