Polarized QPOs from the INTEGRAL polar IGRJ14536-5522 (=Swift J1453.4-5524)

TL;DR

This study presents optical spectroscopy, photometry, and polarimetry of the polar IGRJ14536-5522, revealing polarized modulations and first-time detection of 5-6 minute QPOs in circular polarimetry, advancing understanding of accretion processes.

Contribution

First detection of quasi-periodic oscillations in circular polarimetry of a polar, providing new insights into accretion dynamics in magnetic cataclysmic variables.

Findings

Orbital period of 3.1564 hours confirmed.

Circular polarization modulations up to -18%.

Detection of 5-6 minute QPOs in polarimetry.

Abstract

We report optical spectroscopy and high speed photometry and polarimetry of the INTEGRAL source IGRJ14536-5522 (=Swift J1453.4-5524). The photometry, polarimetry and spectroscopy are modulated on an orbital period of 3.1564(1) hours. Orbital circularly polarized modulations are seen from 0 to -18 per cent, unambiguously identifying IGRJ14536-5522 as a polar. Some of the high speed photometric data show modulations that are consistent with quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) on the order of 5-6 minutes. Furthermore, for the first time, we detect the (5-6) minute QPOs in the circular polarimetry. We discuss the possible origins of these QPOs. We also include details of HIPPO, a new high-speed photo-polarimeter used for some of our observations.