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arXiv · 2207.03498

The Spiderweb proto-cluster is being magnetized by its central radio jet

Craig S. Anderson·Christopher L. Carilli·Paolo Tozzi·G. K. Miley·S. Borgani·Tracy Clarke·L. Di Mascolo·Ang Liu·Tony Mroczkowski·Maurilio Pannella·L Pentericci·H. J. A. Rottgering·A. Saro
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Abstract

We present deep broadband radio polarization observations of the Spiderweb radio galaxy (J1140-2629) in a galaxy proto-cluster at $z=2.16$. These yield the most detailed polarimetric maps yet made of a high redshift radio galaxy. The intrinsic polarization angles and Faraday Rotation Measures (RMs) reveal coherent magnetic fields spanning the $\sim60$ kpc length of the jets, while $\sim50$% fractional polarizations indicate these fields are well-ordered. Source-frame absolute RM values of $\sim1,000$ rad/m/m are typical, and values up to $\sim11,100$ rad/m/m are observed. The Faraday-rotating gas cannot be well-mixed with the synchrotron-emitting gas, or stronger-than-observed depolarization would occur. Nevertheless, an observed spatial coincidence between a localized absolute RM enhancement of $\sim1,100$ rad/m/m, a bright knot of Ly$\alpha$ emission, and a deviation of the radio jet provide direct evidence for vigorous jet-gas interaction. We detect a large-scale RM gradient totaling $\sim1,000$s rad/m/m across the width of the jet, suggesting a net clockwise (as viewed from the AGN) toroidal magnetic field component exists at 10s-of-kpc-scales, which we speculate may be associated with the operation of a Poynting-Robertson cosmic battery. We conclude the RMs are mainly generated in a sheath of hot gas around the radio jet, rather than the ambient foreground proto-cluster gas. The estimated magnetic field strength decreases by successive orders-of-magnitude going from the jet hotspots ($\sim90$ $\mu$G) to the jet sheath ($\sim10$ $\mu$G) to the ambient intracluster medium ($\sim1$ $\mu$G). Synthesizing our results, we propose that the Spiderweb radio galaxy is actively magnetizing its surrounding proto-cluster environment, with possible implications for theories of the origin and evolution of cosmic magnetic fields.

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Craig S. Anderson, Christopher L. Carilli, Paolo Tozzi, G. K. Miley, S. Borgani, Tracy Clarke, L. Di Mascolo, Ang Liu, Tony Mroczkowski, Maurilio Pannella, L Pentericci, H. J. A. Rottgering, A. Saro. 2022-07-07. The Spiderweb proto-cluster is being magnetized by its central radio jet. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ac7ec0

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