Polarization Tomography with Stokes Parameters

TL;DR

This paper introduces polarization tomography, a technique that analyzes Stokes parameter images rotated by various angles to uncover hidden polarization structures in radio sources.

Contribution

It presents a novel method for analyzing polarized emission by rotating Stokes parameters, revealing hidden patterns and structures not visible in traditional maps.

Findings

Revealed complex polarization structures in Cygnus A.

Uncovered hidden polarization angle patterns.

Enhanced analysis of polarized emission structures.

Abstract

We present a simple but powerful technique for the analysis of polarized emission from radio galaxies and other objects. It is based on the fact that images of Stokes parameters often contain considerably more information than is available in polarized intensity and angle maps. In general, however, the orientation of the Stokes parameters will not be matched to the position angles of structures in the source. Polarization tomography, the technique presented in this paper, consists of making a series of single linear Stokes parameter images, $S(\rho)$, where each image is rotated by an angle $\rho$ from the initial orientation of Q and U. Examination of these images, in a series of still frames or a movie, reveals often hidden patterns of polarization angles, as well as structures that were obscured by the presence of overlapping polarized emission. We provide both cartoon examples and a quick look at the complex polarized structure in Cygnus A.