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arXiv · 2609.26380

Inelastic scattering effects on polarization predictions for cold and warm atmospheres in the X-rays

J. Podgorný·L. Marra·M. Dovčiak·R. Taverna·R. W. Goosmann·M. Gupta·F. Marin·G. Matt·J. Poutanen·A. Różańska·A. Veledina
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Abstract

X-ray polarization models of accreting compact objects often assume the so-called Chandrasekhar-Sobolev polarization prescription for elastic Thomson scattering in electron-scattering semi-infinite atmospheres. In this letter, we examine the effects of inelastic Compton scattering. We assume homogeneous slabs of cold and warm (up to 1 keV) electrons. We use a Monte Carlo approach. We discuss the polarization difference arising in the X-rays between the elastic and inelastic scattering assumptions for plane-parallel transmission and reflection, and the role it can play in the interpretation of X-ray polarimetric observations of accreting compact objects.

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J. Podgorný, L. Marra, M. Dovčiak, R. Taverna, R. W. Goosmann, M. Gupta, F. Marin, G. Matt, J. Poutanen, A. Różańska, A. Veledina. 2026-09-22. Inelastic scattering effects on polarization predictions for cold and warm atmospheres in the X-rays. https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.26380

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