Polarization study of gamma-ray binary

TL;DR

This study models X-ray polarization in gamma-ray binaries to understand magnetic field structures, predicting observable polarization signatures that vary with magnetic configuration and orbital phase, aiding future observational efforts.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive polarization model for gamma-ray binaries considering different magnetic field geometries and applies it to LS 5039, guiding future X-ray polarization observations.

Findings

Toroidal magnetic fields produce high polarization (~70%) aligned with the shock axis.

Poloidal and tangled fields result in lower polarization (several 10%) with phase-dependent angles.

Detection feasibility varies with magnetic field type and observation duration.

Abstract

The polarization of X-ray emission is a unique tool used to investigate the magnetic field structure around astrophysical objects. In this paper, we study the linear polarization of X-ray emissions from gamma-ray binary systems based on pulsar scenarios. We discuss synchrotron emissions from pulsar wind particles accelerated by a standing shock. We explore three kinds of axisymmetric magnetic field structures: (i) toroidal magnetic fields, (ii) poloidal magnetic fields, and (iii) tangled magnetic fields. Because of the axisymmetric structure, the polarization angle of integrated emission is oriented along or perpendicular to the shock-cone axis projected on the sky and swings by 360? in one orbit. For the toroidal case, the polarization angle is always directed along the shock cone axis and smoothly changes along the orbital phase. For the poloidal/tangled magnetic field, the direction of the polarization angle depends on the system parameters and orbital phase. In one orbit, the polarization degree for the toroidal case can reach the maximum value of the synchrotron radiation (? 70%), while the maximum polarization degree for poloidal/tangled field cases is several 10%. We apply our model to bright gamma-ray binary LS 5039 and make predictions for future observations. With the expected sensitivity of the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer, linear polarization can be detected by an observation of several days if the magnetic field is dominated by the toroidal magnetic field. If the magnetic field is dominated by the poloidal/tangled field, significant detection is expected with an observation longer than 10 days.