Future X-ray Polarimetry of Relativistic Accelerators: PWNe and SNRs

TL;DR

Future X-ray polarimetry of supernova remnants and pulsar wind nebulae promises to reveal detailed magnetic field structures and turbulence levels, advancing our understanding of relativistic plasma dynamics and particle acceleration.

Contribution

This paper reviews current polarization signatures and discusses how upcoming missions like IXPE/XIPE will enhance insights into magnetic fields and turbulence in SNRs and PWNe.

Findings

Crab nebula's X-ray polarization detected with high significance

Future missions will improve constraints on magnetic field geometry

Polarimetry will help estimate internal dissipation in PWNe

Abstract

Supernova Remnants and Pulsar Wind Nebulae are among the most significant sources of non-thermal X-rays in the sky, and the closest laboratories where relativistic plasma dynamics and particle acceleration can be investigated. Being strong synchrotron emitters, they are ideal candidates for X-ray polarimetry, and indeed the Crab nebula is up to present the only object where X-ray polarization has been detected with a high level of significance. Future polarimetric measures will likely provide us crucial informations on the level of turbulence that is expected at the particle acceleration sites, together with the spacial and temporal coherence of the magnetic field geometry, enabling us to set stronger constraints on our acceleration models. In PWNe it will also allow us to estimate the level of internal dissipation. I will briefly review the current knowledge on the polarization signatures in SNR/PWNe and I will illustrate what can we hope to achieve with future missions like IXPE/XIPE.