Resolving the rotation measure of the M87 jet on kilo-parsec scales

TL;DR

This study maps the Faraday rotation measure in the M87 jet at arcsecond scales, revealing detailed structure and suggesting a Faraday screen near the jet, with implications for magnetic field properties.

Contribution

First resolution of RM structure in M87 jet knots at arcsecond scales, challenging turbulence assumptions and highlighting a nearby Faraday screen's role.

Findings

RM structure varies along the jet knots

RM is influenced by a Faraday screen near the jet

Magnetic fields in the jet are less turbulent than in the lobes

Abstract

We investigate the distribution of Faraday rotation measure (RM) in the M87 jet at arc-second scales by using archival polarimetric VLA data at 8, 15, 22 and 43 GHz. We resolve the structure of the RM in several knots along the jet for the first time. We derive the power spectrum in the arcsecond scale jet and find indications that the RM cannot be associated with a turbulent magnetic field with 3D Kolmogorov spectrum. Our analysis indicates that the RM probed on jet scales has a significant contribution of a Faraday screen associated with the vicinity of the jet, in contrast with that on kiloparsec scales, typically assumed to be disconnected from the jet. Comparison with previous RM analyses suggests that the magnetic fields giving rise to the RMs observed in jet scales have different properties and are well less turbulent than these observed in the lobes.