A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Constraints on magnetic field and particle content in blazar jets through optical circular polarization
Authors: Liodakis Yannis, Blinov Dmitry, Potter Stephen B, Rieger Frank M
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication year: 2022
Journal: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Journal name in source: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Volume: 509
Issue: 1
First page : L21
Last page: L25
eISSN: 1745-3925
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnrasl/slab118
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1093/mnrasl/slab118
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/174851070
Polarization offers a unique view in the physical processes of astrophysical jets. We report on optical circular polarization (CP) observations of two famous blazars, namely 3C 279 and PKS 1510−089, at high linearly polarized states. This is the first time PKS 1510−089 is observed in optical CP. While only upper limits can be extracted from our observing campaign, the non-detection of optical CP allows us to provide meaningful constraints on their magnetic field strength and jet composition. We find that high-energy emission models requiring high magnetic field strength and a low positron fraction can be excluded.
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