Astrophysical X-Ray Polarization

TL;DR

X-ray polarimetry offers a novel observational approach to understanding high-energy astrophysical phenomena by analyzing polarization properties, with recent advancements in measurement techniques and detector technology.

Contribution

This review summarizes the physical mechanisms behind polarized X-ray emission and the current state of measurement instruments and detectors.

Findings

Polarization fraction and angle provide new insights into astrophysical systems.

Various detectors have been developed or are under construction for X-ray polarization measurement.

Understanding polarization helps probe magnetic fields and accretion processes.

Abstract

X-ray polarimetry is now providing a new way to look at the high energy sky. The addition of two observables, polarization fraction and angle, reveals crucial new information on the structure of accretion flows and magnetic fields in astrophysical systems. Here, we review the basic physical processes that produce polarized X-rays in astrophysical contexts. Then, we briefly describe the physical processes used to measure X-ray polarization and the detectors that have been flown or are under construction.