Circular polarization

About: Circular polarization is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 15201 publications have been published within this topic receiving 234418 citations.

Full Polarization Spectra of 3C 279

Abstract: We report the results of parsec-scale, multifrequency Very Long Baseline Array observations of the core region of 3C 279 in Stokes I, linear polarization, and circular polarization. These full polarization spectra are modeled by radiative transfer simulations to constrain the magnetic field and particle properties of the parsec-scale jet in 3C 279. We find that the polarization properties of the core region, including the amount of linear polarization, the amount and sign of Faraday rotation, and the amount and sign of circular polarization can be explained by a consistent physical picture. The base of the jet, component D, is modeled as an inhomogeneous Blandford-Konigl style conical jet dominated by a vector-ordered poloidal magnetic field along the jet axis, and we estimate its net magnetic flux. This poloidal field is responsible for the linear and circular polarization from this inhomogeneous component. Farther down the jet, the magnetic field in two homogeneous features is dominated by local shocks and a smaller fraction of vector-ordered poloidal field remains along the jet axis. This remaining poloidal field provides internal Faraday rotation which drives Faraday conversion of linear polarization into circular polarization from these components. In this picture, we find the jet to be kinetically dominated by protons with the radiating particles being dominated by electrons at an approximate fraction of 75%, still allowing the potential for a significant admixture of positrons. Based on the amounts of Faraday conversion deduced for the homogeneous components, we find a plausible range for the lower cutoff in the relativistic particle energy spectrum to be 5 γ l 35. The physical picture described here is not unique if the observed Faraday rotation and depolarization occur in screens external to the jet; however, we find the joint explanation of linear and circular polarization observations from a single set of magnetic fields and particle properties internal to the jet to be compelling evidence for this picture.

Polarization singularities in superposition of vector beams.

Abstract: We present a systematic study of the superposition of two vector Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams. Propagation depended field distribution obtained from the superposition of two vector LG beams has many interesting features of intensity and polarization. Characteristic inhomogeneous polarization distribution of the vector LG beam appears in the form of azimuthally modulated intensity and polarization distributions in the superposition of the beams. We found that the array of polarization singular points, whose number depends upon the azimuthal indices of the two beams, evolves during propagation of the field. The position and number of C-points generated in the field were analyzed using Stokes singularity relations. Novel intensity and polarization patterns obtained from the superposition of two vector LG beams may find applications in the field of molecular imaging, optical manipulation, atom optics, and optical lattices.

A 3.5mm Polarimetric Survey of Radio-loud Active Galactic Nuclei

Abstract: We present the results from the first large (>100 source) 3.5 mm polarimetric survey of radio loud active galactic nuclei (AGN). The I, Q, U, and V Stokes parameter observations were performed with the XPOL polarimeter at the IRAM 30m Telescope. Our sample consists of 145 flat-radio-spectrum AGN with declination >-30 deg. (J2000.0) and flux density >~1Jy at 86GHz, as measured at the IRAM 30 m Telescope from 1978 to 1994. We detected linear and circular polarization (above 3 sigma levels of ~1.6%, and ~0.3%) for 76%, and 6% of the sample, respectively. We find a clear excess in degree of linear polarization detected at 86 GHz with regard to that at 15 GHz by a factor of ~2. Over our entire source sample, the luminosity of the jets is inversely proportional to the degree of linear polarization. Consistent with previous findings claiming larger Doppler factors for brighter gamma-ray blazars, quasars listed in our sample, and in the Fermi-LBAS catalog, show larger luminosities than non-LBAS ones, but our data do not allow us to confirm the same for BL Lac objects. We do not find a clear relation between the linear polarization angle and the jet structural position angle for any source class in our sample. We interpret this as the consequence of a markedly non-axisymmetric character of the 3 mm emitting region in the jets. We find that intrinsic circular polarization is the most likely mechanism for generation of the circular polarization detected in our observations. Our new data can be used to estimate the 3 mm AGN contribution to measurements of the linear polarization of the cosmic microwave background, such as those performed by the Planck satellite.

Analytical partial wave expansion of vector Bessel beam and its application to optical binding

Abstract: Explicit partial wave coefficients are derived for nondiffractive vector Bessel beam of arbitrary order and polarization. Calculations based on the analytical partial wave expansion yield results that agree well with recent numerical calculations and experiments on optical binding. We have also investigated how one can tailor the interparticle interaction by overlaying different coatings. It is found that the Ag and low dielectric coating can increase the number of equilibrium positions, whereas the antireflection coating reduces it.

Circular Dichroism and Spin Polarization in Photoemission from Adsorbates and Non-Magnetic Solids

Abstract: Spin-resolving techniques in photoemission are presently attracting wide interest because they can provide a detailed insight into specific aspects of electronic structure and the dynamics of the photoexcitation process. Recent experimental work in the field of non-magnetic systems is reviewed with emphasis on the complementary nature of the information gained by exploiting the photon- and/or electron-spin. A very promising achievement is the verification of circular dichroism (CDAD) in the angular distribution of photoelectrons. It arises without spin-orbit interaction through an interference of final-state partial waves. Every aligned or oriented target (molecular adsorbates, single crystals) should in principle show this effect in photoemission with circularly polarized light. Electron-spin polarization (ESP) in photoemission is induced by circularly polarized light as a direct consequence of spin-orbit interaction. This type of spectroscopy thus provides a unique method for determining the symmetries of electronic bands of high-Z materials. Recent examples of both categories are discussed.