First-Principle Prediction of X-ray Polarization from Magnetic Reconnection in High-Frequency BL Lacs

TL;DR

This study predicts X-ray polarization signatures from magnetic reconnection in high-frequency BL Lacs using combined simulations, highlighting variability and potential observational signatures detectable by IXPE.

Contribution

First-principles prediction of X-ray polarization from magnetic reconnection in HBLs using combined PIC and radiation transfer simulations.

Findings

X-ray polarization is more variable than optical in HBLs.

Measured X-ray PD can be lower than optical due to temporal depolarization.

Smooth X-ray PA swings are predicted during bright flares.

Abstract

Relativistic magnetic reconnection is a potential particle acceleration mechanism for high-frequency BL Lacs (HBLs). The {\it Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer} ({\it IXPE}) scheduled to launch in 2021 has the capability to probe the magnetic field evolution in HBLs, examining the magnetic reconnection scenario for the HBL flares. In this paper, we make the first attempt to self-consistently predict HBL X-ray polarization signatures arising from relativistic magnetic reconnection via combined particle-in-cell (PIC) and polarized radiation transfer simulations. We find that although the intrinsic optical and X-ray polarization degrees are similar on average, the X-ray polarization is much more variable in both polarization degree and angle (PD and PA). Given the sensitivity of the {\it IXPE}, it may obtain one to a few polarization data points for one flaring event of nearby bright HBLs Mrk~421 and 501. However, it may not fully resolve the highly variable X-ray polarization. Due to the temporal depolarization, where the integration of photons with variable polarization states over a finite period of time can lower the detected PD, the measured X-ray PD can be considerably lower than the optical counterpart or even undetectable. The lower X-ray PD than the optical thus can be a characteristic signature of relativistic magnetic reconnection. For very bright flares where the X-ray polarization is well resolved, relativistic magnetic reconnection predicts smooth X-ray PA swings, which originate from large plasmoid mergers in the reconnection region.