arXiv subjects

Shane P. O'Sullivan

Publications and source records attributed to Shane P. O'Sullivan.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2009

Magnetic field strength and spectral distribution of six parsec-scale active galactic nuclei jets

We use observations of six "blazars" with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), at eight frequencies (4.6, 5.1, 7.9, 8.9, 12.9, 15.4, 22.2, 43.1 GHz), to investigate the frequency-dependent position of their VLBI cores ("core-shift") and their overall jet spectral distribution. By cross-correlating the optically thin jet emission, we are able to accurately align the multi-frequency images of three of the jets (1418+546, 2007+777, 2200+420), whose core-shifts and spectra we find consistent with the equipartition regime of the Blandford & Konigl conical jet model, where the position of the radio core from the base of the jet follows $r_{core}\proptoν^{-1}$. For the jet of 0954+658, we align the higher frequency images using our lower frequency measurements assuming equipartition in the radio core from 4.6-43 GHz. The jet emission of the other two sources in our sample (1156+295, 1749+096) is too sparse for our alignment technique to work. Using our measured core-shifts, we calculate equipartition magnetic field strengths of the order of 10's to 100's of mG in the radio cores of these four AGN from 4.6-43 GHz. Extrapolating our results back to the accretion disk and black hole jet-launching distances, we find magnetic field strengths consistent with those expected from theoretical models of magnetically powered jets.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Three dimensional magnetic field structure of six parsec-scale active galactic nuclei jets

The parsec-scale Faraday rotation measure (RM) distribution of six "blazars" is investigated using multi-frequency (4.6--43 GHz) polarization observations taken on 2006 July 2 with the VLBA. Analysis of the RM provides the direction of the line-of-sight (LoS) magnetic field component, as well as the intrinsic 2-D polarization distribution on the plane of the sky. Our results show that the magnitude of the core RM increases systematically with frequency, and is well described by a power-law, where |RM_{core}| \propto ν^a. Our measured values of $a$ vary from 0.9 to 3.8, providing information on the assumed power-law fall-off in the electron density with distance from the central engine for each source. RM gradients were detected across the jets of three sources, supporting the presence of helical magnetic fields in a sheath or boundary layer surrounding their jets. We find a bi-modal distribution of the intrinsic jet polarization orientation; either aligned or orthogonal to the jet direction. A helical magnetic field geometry can neatly explain both the bi-model distribution of the jet polarization orientation and the ordered polarization structure detected on these scales. In half the sources, we find that the core RM changes sign with distance from the central engine. We provide an explanation for this by considering a boundary layer of Faraday rotating material threaded by a helical magnetic field, where bends in the relativistic jet or accelerating/decelerating flows give rise to changes in the dominant LoS components of the magnetic field, which in turn gives rise to different signs of the RM. (abridged)

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

AGN jet physics from measurements of the frequency-dependent position of the VLBI radio core

Accurate measurement of the frequency-dependent shift of the self-absorbed radio core is required for multi-frequency analysis of VLBI data since absolute positional information is lost as a result of phase self-calibration. We use the cross-correlation technique of Croke & Gabuzda (2008) on the optically thin jet emission to align our VLBA images. Our results are consistent with those obtained from the phase-referencing method, as well as alignment by model-fitted optically thin jet components. Physical parameters of the compact jet regions, such as the magnetic field strength (B_core) and the distance of the radio core to the jet origin (r_core), can be calculated from these measurements. For the source Mrk 501, we find a magnetic field strength of 0.15\pm0.04 G in the 8.4-GHz core at a distance of 0.8\pm0.2 pc from the base of the jet. By extrapolating our 4.6 to 15.4 GHz results for BL Lac (2200+420), we estimate magnetic field strengths of the order of 1 G in the millimetre VLBI core. Using our core-shift measurement between 1.6 and 4.8 GHz for 1803+784, we find B_core(4.8 GHz) = 0.11\pm0.02 G and r_core(4.8 GHz) = 20\pm5 pc. The phase-referencing observations of this source at 8.4 and 43 GHz by Jiménez-Monferrer et al. (2008) imply B_core(43 GHz) = 1.0\pm0.4 G and r_core(43 GHz) = 2.0\pm0.9 pc.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

The Need For High Resolution In Studies Of The 3-D Magnetic Field Structure Of AGN Jets

We are using "broadband" (4.6 to 43 GHz) multi-frequency VLBA polarization observations of compact AGN to investigate the 3-D structure of their jet magnetic (B) fields. Observing at several frequencies, separated by short and long intervals, enables reliable determination of the distribution of Faraday Rotation, and thereby the intrinsic B field structure. Transverse Rotation Measure (RM) gradients were detected in the jets of 0954+658 and 1418+546, providing evidence for the presence of a helical B field surrounding the jet. The RM in the core regions of 2200+420 (BL Lac), 0954+658 and 1418+546 display different signs in different frequency-intervals (on different spatial scales); we suggest an explanation for this in terms of modest bends in a helical B field surrounding their jets. In future, polarization observations with a combination of VSOP-2 at 8, 22 and 43 GHz and ground arrays at frequencies with corresponding resolution will help map out the distributions of Faraday rotation, spectral index and the 3-D B field structure both across the jet and closer to the central engine, providing strong constraints for any jet B field models.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Parsec-scale Investigation of the Magnetic Field Structure of Several AGN Jets

Multi-frequency (4.6, 5, 5.5, 8, 8.8, 13, 15, 22 & 43 GHz) polarization observations of 6 "blazars" were obtained on the American Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) over a 24-hr period on 2 July 2006. Observing at several frequencies, separated by short and long intervals, enabled reliable determination of the distribution of Faraday Rotation on a range of scales. In all cases the magnitude of the RM increases in the higher frequency observations, implying that the electron density and/or magnetic field strength is increasing as we get closer to the central engine. After correcting for Faraday rotation, the polarization orientation in the jet is either parallel or perpendicular to the jet direction. A transverse Rotation Measure (RM) gradient was detected in the jet of 0954+658, providing evidence for the presence of a helical magnetic field surrounding the jet. For three of the sources (0954+658, 1418+546, 2200+420), the sign of the RM in the core region changes in different frequency-intervals, indicating that the line-of-sight component of the magnetic field is changing with distance from the base of the jet. We suggest an explanation for this in terms of bends in a relativistic jet surrounded by a helical magnetic field; where there is no clear evidence for pc-scale bends, the same effect can be explained by an accelerating/decelerating jet.

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arXiv2007

Investigation of the Faraday Rotation Measure and Magnetic Field Structures of Several AGN Jets on Sub-Parsec to Parsec Scales

Preliminary VLBA polarisation results on 6 ``blazars'' from 6.5-cm to 7-mm are presented here. Observing at several different wavelengths, separated by short and long intervals, enabled reliable information about the magnetic (B) field structure to be obtained and for the effect of Faraday Rotation to be determined and corrected. For all sources the magnitude of the core Rotation Measure (RM) derived from the shorter wavelength data was greater than that derived from the longer wavelength data, consistent with a higher electron density and/or B-field strength closer to the central engine. A transverse RM gradient was detected in the jet of 0954+658, providing evidence for the presence of a helical B-field surrounding the jet. The RM in the core region of 2200+420 (BL Lac) displays sign changes in different wavelength intervals (on different spatial scales); we suggest an explanation for this in terms of modest bends in a helical B-field surrounding the jet.

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