arXiv subjects

Toru Tamagawa

Publications and source records attributed to Toru Tamagawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Broad-band High-Energy Resolution Hard X-ray Spectroscopy using Transition Edge Sensors at SPring-8

We have succeeded in operating a transition-edge sensor (TES) spectrometer and evaluating its performance at the SPring-8 synchrotron X-ray light source. The TES spectrometer consists of a 240 pixel National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) TES system, and 220 pixels are operated simultaneously with an energy resolution of $4$~eV at 6~keV at a rate of about 1~c/s/pixel. The tolerance for high count rates is evaluated in terms of energy resolution and live time fraction, leading to an empirical compromise of about 2 x 10^3 c/s/all pixels with an energy resolution of 5 eV at 6 keV. By utilizing the TES's wide-band spectroscopic capability, simultaneous multi-element analysis is demonstrated for a standard sample. We conducted X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) analysis in fluorescence mode using the TES spectrometer. The excellent energy resolution of the TES enabled us to detect weak fluorescence lines from dilute samples and trace elements that have previously been difficult to resolve due to the nearly overlapping emission lines of other dominant elements. The neighboring lines of As K alpha and Pb L alpha2 of the standard sample were clearly resolved and the XANES of Pb L alpha2 was obtained. Moreover, the X-ray spectrum from the small amount of Fe in aerosols was distinguished from the spectrum of a blank target, which helps us to understand the targets and the environment. These results are the first important step for the application of high resolution TES-based spectroscopy at hard X-ray synchrotron facilities.

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arXiv2026

Magnetic-field Order in the Southwestern Rim of RCW 86 Constrained Using X-Ray Polarimetry

RCW 86 is a supernova remnant whose origin has recently been linked to an off-center explosion within a cavity created by its progenitor star. In the southwestern region, the forward shock is thought to have reached the cavity wall, encountering diverse environmental conditions. We report on the spatially resolved X-ray polarimetric observation of RCW 86 with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). In the 2--4.5 keV energy band we find no significant detection of polarization. Employing a dedicated background subtraction procedure and Bayesian spectropolarimetric fitting, we derive 99% upper limits on the polarization degree of the synchrotron component: 15% in higher-statistics regions and 30%--40% in lower-statistics regions. These upper limits on the polarization degree in several regions exclude the possibility of a strongly coherent magnetic field down to the subparsec scale, and that of a moderately coherent one on the scale of the synchrotron features as resolved by IXPE. The results indicate that the shocks in the southwestern rim of RCW 86 propagate more slowly than the unshocked ejecta at their locations, yet exceed the measured proper motion speeds. This behavior is consistent with reflected shocks occurring in tenuous regions of the shocked ejecta, distinct from regions that are radio-bright.

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arXiv2026

In-orbit Demonstration of X-ray Pulsar Navigation with NinjaSat

This study demonstrated the pulsar navigation capability of the CubeSat X-ray observatory NinjaSat, which is equipped with two Gas Multiplier Counters (GMCs). The GMCs are sensitive to the 2-50 keV energy band and have an effective area of 16 cm^2 per module at 6 keV. We verified the timing accuracy by observing the Crab Pulsar and confirmed stable timing performance within 100 microseconds. To demonstrate pulsar navigation, we applied a method that optimizes orbital parameters to maximize the significance of the pulsar X-ray pulse profile, known as the Significance Enhancement of Pulse-profile with Orbit-dynamics (SEPO) method. We observed the Crab Pulsar with a total exposure of approximately 100 ks at different epochs and analyzed the data transmitted to the ground. By comparing the optimized orbit with the satellite position derived from Global Positioning System data, we quantitatively evaluated the navigation performance. The results show that the position component along the Crab line of sight was consistently constrained within approximately 40 km, and the three-dimensional position error ranged from 27 to 370 km depending on the observation epoch. These results demonstrate the feasibility of applying a CubeSat-class X-ray observatory to pulsar navigation and provide the first experimental verification that the accuracy of the SEPO method depends on the seasonal geometry between the orbital plane and the pulsar direction.

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arXiv2026

Polarization of reflected X-ray emission from the Sgr A molecular complex: multiple flares, multiple sources?

The extended X-ray emission observed in the direction of several molecular clouds in the central molecular zone of our Galaxy exhibits spectral and temporal properties consistent with the X-ray echo scenario. This concept postulates that the observed signal is a light-travel-time delayed reflection of a short ($δt<$1.5 yr) and bright ($L_{\rm X}>10^{39} {\rm erg s^{-1}}$) flare that was most probably produced a few hundred years ago by Sgr A*. This scenario predicts a distinct polarization signature for the reflected X-ray continuum, with the polarization vector being perpendicular to the direction toward the primary source and the polarization degree being determined by the scattering angle. We report the results of two deep observations of the currently brightest (in reflected emission) molecular complex Sgr A taken with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer in 2022 and 2023. We confirm the previous polarization measurement for a large region encompassing the Sgr A complex with high significance. We reveal an inconsistent polarization pattern for the brightest reflection region in its center. The X-ray polarization from this region is almost perpendicular to the expected direction in the case of Sgr A* illumination and shows smaller degree of polarization compared to the large region. This could indicate the simultaneous propagation of several illumination fronts throughout the CMZ, with the origin of one of them not being Sgr A*. The primary source could be associated with the Arches stellar cluster or a currently unknown source located closer to the illuminated cloud, potentially lowering the required luminosity of the primary source. Although significantly deeper observations with IXPE would be required to unequivocally distinguish between the scenarios, a combination of high-resolution imaging and micro-calorimetric spectroscopy offers an additional promising path forward.

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arXiv2026

X-ray Analysis and Photon-transport Simulations of SMC X-1: A Warped-disc Origin of the Superorbital Modulation

The luminous accreting pulsar SMC X-1 is an appropriate target to explore the accretion dynamics. SMC X-1 shows unique quasi-periodic flux variability of 40-65$\,$days known as superorbital modulation. To constrain the accretion structure of SMC X-1 based on timing and spectral study, we have analysed X-ray data of SMC X-1 observed by Suzaku and NuSTAR at various epochs between 2011 and 2022. The spectral analysis shows that the hydrogen column density ($N_\mathrm{H}$) increases from $1.1 \times 10^{22}\,\mathrm{cm^{-2}}$ to $1.24 \times 10^{23}\,\mathrm{cm^{-2}}$ as the flux decreases with the superorbital modulation. The neutral iron K$α$ line at 6.4$\,$keV has a broad width of 0.3$\,$keV, and its equivalent width increases as toward superorbital low states. The line broadening is consistent with Keplerian motion at the inner disc rather than the stellar wind velocity of the donor star. These findings support that the superorbital modulation is a consequence of X-ray attenuation by the warped accretion disc. To test this interpretation, we have conducted photon transport simulations of a system consisting of a neutron star, a warped disc, and optically-thin disc atmosphere. Occultation of the central source by the disc successfully reproduces the observed variations in the equivalent width of neutral iron K$α$ line, pulse profiles, and flux in hard X-rays. Notably, a disc precession angle of approximately $30^\circ$ can account for the observational features. For the radiation pattern of the photon source, the preferred beam width corresponds to a standard deviation of $30^\circ$.

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arXiv2026

A simple, flexible method for timing cross-calibration of space missions

The timing (cross-)calibration of astronomical instruments is often done by comparing pulsar times-of-arrival (TOAs) to a reference timing model. In high-energy astronomy, the choice of solar system ephemerides and source positions used to barycenter the photon arrival times has a significant impact on the procedure, requiring a full reprocessing of the data each time a new convention is used. Our method, developed as part of the activities of the International Astronomical Consortium for High Energy Calibration (IACHEC), adapts an existing pulsar solution to arbitrary JPL ephemerides and source positions by simulating geocentric TOAs and refitting timing models (implemented with PINT). We validate the procedure and apply it to thousands of observations of the Crab pulsar from 15 missions spanning 1996--2025, demonstrating inter-ephemeris TOA consistency at the $\lesssim5 μ$s level, using the DE200/FK5-based Jodrell Bank Monthly Ephemeris as a common reference. We release the TOAExtractor open-source tool and a TOA database to support future calibration and scientific studies. Instrument timing performance is broadly consistent with mission specifications; the X-ray-to-radio phase offset varies with energy and time at a level that is marginally consistent with the uncertainties of the radio ephemeris, motivating coordinated multiwavelength follow-up.

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arXiv2025

Unveiling the Nature of Superorbital Modulation of SMC X-1 using NinjaSat

We report a long-term, high-cadence timing and spectral observation of the X-ray pulsar SMC X-1 using NinjaSat, a 6U CubeSat in low-Earth orbit, covering nearly a full superorbital cycle. SMC X-1 is a high-mass X-ray binary exhibiting a 0.7 s X-ray pulsar and a non-stationary superorbital modulation with periods ranging from approximately 40 to 65 days. Its peak luminosity of $1.3\times10^{39}$~\lumcgs\ makes it a local analogue of ultraluminous X-ray pulsars powered by supercritical accretion. We find that the spin-up rate during the high state remains consistent with the long-term average, with no significant correlation between spin-up rate and flux. This result indicates that the modulation is primarily geometric rather than accretion-driven. The hardness ratio and spectral shape are stable throughout the entire superorbital cycle, supporting obscuration by optically thick material or energy-independent scattering. In addition, the 2--20 keV pulse profile varies with superorbital phase, which may be explained either by variable covering fraction due to geometric obscuration, or by free precession of the neutron star. This represents the first complete measurement of spin-up rate and spectral evolution across a single superorbital cycle in SMC X-1, highlighting the scientific capability of CubeSat-based observatories.

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arXiv2025

Return of the Clocked Burster: Exceptionally Short Recurrence Time in GS 1826-238

We report the discovery of an exceptionally short burst recurrence time in the well-known clocked burster GS 1826$-$238, observed with the CubeSat X-ray observatory NinjaSat. In 2025 May, GS 1826$-$238 underwent a soft-to-hard state transition for the first time in 10 years. On June 23, NinjaSat began monitoring GS 1826$-$238 in the hard state and continued until it returned to a steady soft state. During this period, we detected 19 X-ray bursts: 14 during the hard state, 4 in the transitional state, and 1 in the soft state. In the hard state, we identified a new clocked bursting epoch, during which the burst recurrence time remained highly stable and unprecedentedly short among the clocked bursting phases of GS 1826$-$238, with $t_{\rm rec} = 1.603 \pm 0.040$ hr ($1σ$ error). Previous observations showed that the burst recurrence time in GS 1826$-$238 decreased with increasing mass accretion rate, reached its minimum value of $t_{\rm rec} \sim 3$ hr, and then increased again. The observed 1.6 hr recurrence time is therefore exceptionally short, indicating anomalous ignition conditions. We propose that this phenomenon reflects fuel accumulation over a smaller fraction of the neutron star surface, resulting in a higher local accretion rate compared to earlier epochs. This scenario naturally accounts for the exceptionally short recurrence time, together with the observed reductions during bursts in blackbody normalization (proportional to the emitting area) and fluence. We also discuss possible contributions from residual heat in the neutron star crust or the presence of an additional soft spectral component.

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arXiv2025

Stratified wind from a super-Eddington X-ray binary is slower than expected

Accretion discs in strong gravity ubiquitously produce winds, seen as blueshifted absorption lines in the X-ray band of both stellar mass X-ray binaries (black holes and neutron stars), and supermassive black holes. Some of the most powerful winds (termed Eddington winds) are expected to arise from systems where radiation pressure is sufficient to unbind material from the inner disc ($L\gtrsim L_{\rm Edd}$). These winds should be extremely fast and carry a large amount of kinetic power, which, when associated with supermassive black holes, would make them a prime contender for the feedback mechanism linking the growth of those black holes with their host galaxies. Here we show the XRISM Resolve spectrum of the Galactic neutron star X-ray binary, GX 13+1, which reveals one of the densest winds ever seen in absorption lines. This Compton-thick wind significantly attenuates the flux, making it appear faint, although it is intrinsically more luminous than usual ($L\gtrsim L_{\rm Edd}$). However, the wind is extremely slow, more consistent with the predictions of thermal-radiative winds launched by X-ray irradiation of the outer disc, than with the expected Eddington wind driven by radiation pressure from the inner disc. This puts new constraints on the origin of winds from bright accretion flows in binaries, but also highlights the very different origin required for the ultrafast ($v\sim 0.3c$) winds seen in recent Resolve observations of a supermassive black hole at similarly high Eddington ratio.

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arXiv2025

First Detection of X-ray Polarization and Its Short-term Increase Pre- and Post-Eclipse in HMXB 4U 1700-377

We report the first statistically significant detection of X-ray polarization from the high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) 4U 1700-377, observed using the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). A polarization degree exceeding 10% was detected above 5 keV, placing it among the highest polarization observed in HMXBs to date. The observation was conducted over a full orbital period of the binary system, during which several sporadic and instantaneous flares were detected. We identify a clear correlation between the polarization degree and orbital phase, with the highest polarization occurring just before and after the eclipse, reaching over 20% for a few tens of ks. These results suggest that the scattering medium responsible for the observed polarization is spatially localized between the compact object and the O-type companion star, likely created by large-scale inhomogeneities in the stellar wind and its interaction with the compact star's emission. We also explore the roles of disk winds and orbital reflection in the observed polarization variability. While both mechanisms contribute to the polarization, the substantial increase in polarization before and after the eclipse cannot be fully explained by these models alone, suggesting that the involvement of additional factors. The properties of the X-ray polarization observed by IXPE provide new insights into the accretion processes, X-ray emission, and wind structure in 4U 1700-377, advancing our understanding of their complex environments and the nature of the compact objects within.

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arXiv2025

X-ray Polarization Detection of the Pulsar Wind Nebula in G21.5-0.9 with IXPE

We present the X-ray polarization observation of G21.5-0.9, a young Galactic supernova remnant (SNR), conducted with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) in October 2023, with a total livetime of approximately 837 ks. Using different analysis methods, such as a space-integrated study of the entire region of the PWN and a space-resolved polarization map, we detect significant polarization from the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) at the center of the SNR, with an average polarization degree of ~10% oriented at ~33° (north through east). No significant energy-dependent variation in polarization is observed across the IXPE band (2-8 keV). The polarization map, corrected for the effect of polarization leakage, reveals a consistent pattern in both degree and angle, with little change across the nebula. Our findings indicate the presence of a highly polarized central torus, suggesting low levels of turbulence at particle acceleration sites. Unlike Vela, but similar to the Crab Nebula, we observe substantial differences between radio and X-ray polarization maps. This suggests a clear separation in energy of the emitting particle populations and hints at an important, yet poorly understood, role of instabilities in the turbulence dynamics of PWNe.

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arXiv2025

Thermonuclear superburst of MAXI J1752$-$457 observed with NinjaSat and MAXI

An uncatalogued bright X-ray transient was detected with MAXI on November 9, 2024, named MAXI J1752$-$457. The NinjaSat X-ray observatory promptly observed the source from November 10 to 18 while the small angular separation from the Sun hampered follow-up campaigns by other X-ray observatories. The MAXI and NinjaSat light curves in the 2-10 keV band showed first and second decaying components at the early and late phases, approximated by exponential functions with e-folding constants of 1.2 $\pm$ 0.2 and 14.9 $\pm$ 0.9 hours (1$σ$ errors), respectively. A single blackbody model reproduces the X-ray spectrum with a softening trend of its temperature decreasing from 1.8 $\pm$ 0.1 keV to 0.59 $\pm$ 0.06 keV. Assuming the unknown source distance at 8 kpc, at which the initial X-ray luminosity roughly corresponds to the Eddington limit, the shrinking blackbody radius was estimated at 5-11 km. This X-ray brightening is interpreted as a superburst in a Galactic low-mass X-ray binary, which is powered by thermonuclear burning triggered presumably by carbon ignition close to the outer crust of the neutron star. The transition between two decaying components occurred at 5.5-7.7 hours, corresponding to the thermal time scale of the burning layer. The ignition column density is estimated to be (2.8-5.1)$\times 10^{12}$ g cm$^{-2}$.

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arXiv2025

X-ray Polarization of the High-Synchrotron-Peak BL Lacertae Object 1ES 1959+650 during Intermediate and High X-ray Flux States

We report the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) polarimetric and simultaneous multiwavelength observations of the high-energy-peaked BL Lacertae (HBL) object 1ES 1959+650, performed in 2022 October and 2023 August. In 2022 October IXPE measured an average polarization degree $Π_{\rm X}=9.4\;\!\%\pm 1.6\;\!\%$ and an electric-vector position angle $ψ_{\rm X}=53^{\circ}\pm 5^{\circ}$. The polarized X-ray emission can be decomposed into a constant component, plus a rotating component, with rotation velocity $ω_{\rm EVPA}=(-117\;\!\pm\;\!12)$ ${\rm deg}\;\!{\rm d}^{-1}$. In 2023 August, during a period of pronounced activity of the source, IXPE measured an average $Π_{\rm X}=12.4\;\!\%\pm0.7\;\!\%$ and $ψ_X=20^{\circ}\pm2^{\circ}$, with evidence ($\sim$0.4$\;\!\%$ chance probability) for a rapidly rotating component with $ω_{\rm EVPA}=(1864\;\!\pm\;\!34)$ ${\rm deg}\;\!{\rm d}^{-1}$. These findings suggest the presence of a helical magnetic field in the jet of 1ES 1959+650 or stochastic processes governing the field in turbulent plasma. Our multiwavelength campaigns from radio to X-ray reveal variability in both polarization and flux from optical to X-rays. We interpret the results in terms of a relatively slowly varying component dominating the radio and optical emission, while rapidly variable polarized components dominate the X-ray and provide minor contribution at optical wavelengths. The radio and optical data indicate that on parsec scales the magnetic field is primarily orthogonal to the jet direction. On the contrary, X-ray measurements show a magnetic field almost aligned with the parsec jet direction. Confronting with other IXPE observations, we guess that the magnetic field of HBLs on sub-pc scale should be rather unstable, often changing its direction with respect to the VLBA jet.

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arXiv2025

NinjaSat monitoring of Type-I X-ray bursts from the clocked burster SRGA J144459.2$-$604207

The CubeSat X-ray observatory NinjaSat was launched on 2023 November 11 and has provided opportunities for agile and flexible monitoring of bright X-ray sources. On 2024 February 23, the NinjaSat team started long-term observation of the new X-ray source SRGA J144459.2$-$604207 as the first scientific target, which was discovered on 2024 February 21 and recognized as the sixth clocked X-ray burster. Our 25-day observation covered almost the entire decay of this outburst from two days after the peak at $\sim$100 mCrab on February 23 until March 18 at a few mCrab level. The Gas Multiplier Counter onboard NinjaSat successfully detected 12 Type-I X-ray bursts with a typical burst duration of $\sim$20 s, shorter than other clocked burster systems. As the persistent X-ray emission declined by a factor of five, X-ray bursts showed a notable change in its morphology: the rise time became shorter from 4.4(7) s to 0.3(3) s (1$σ$ errors), and the peak amplitude increased by 44%. The burst recurrence time $Δt_{\rm rec}$ also became longer from 2 hr to 10 hr, following the relation of $Δt_{\rm rec} \propto F_{\rm per}^{-0.84}$, where $F_{\rm per}$ is the persistent X-ray flux, by applying a Markov chain Monte Carlo method. The short duration of bursts is explained by the He-enhanced composition of accretion matter and the relation between $Δt_{\textrm{rec}}$ and $F_{\rm per}$ by a massive neutron star. This study demonstrated that CubeSat pointing observations can provide valuable astronomical X-ray data.

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arXiv2024

Evidence of non-Solar elemental composition in the clocked X-ray burster SRGA J144459.2$-$604207

In February and March 2024, a series of many Type I X-ray bursts from the accreting neutron star SRGA J144459.2$-$604207, which has been identified by multiple X-ray satellites, with the first reports coming from INTEGRAL and NinjaSat. These observations reveal that after exhibiting very regular behavior as a ``clocked'' burster, the peak luminosity of the SRGA J144459.2$-$604207 X-ray bursts shows a gradual decline. The observed light curves exhibit a short plateau feature, potentially with a double peak, followed by a rapid decay in the tail-features unlike those seen in previously observed clocked bursters. In this study, we calculate a series of multizone X-ray burst models with various compositions of accreted matter, specifically varying the mass fractions of hydrogen ($X$), helium ($Y$), and heavier CNO elements or metallicity ($Z_{\rm CNO}$). We demonstrate that a model with higher $Z_{\rm CNO}$ and/or lower $X/Y$ compared to the solar values can reproduce the observed behavior of SRGA J144459.2$-$604207. Therefore, we propose that this new X-ray burster is likely the first clocked burster with non-solar elemental compositions. Moreover, based on the X-ray burst light curve morphology in the decline phase observed by NinjaSat, a He-enhanced model with $X/Y \approx 1.5$ seems preferred over high-metallicity cases. We also give a brief discussion on the implications for the neutron star mass, binary star evolution, inclination angle, and the potential for a high-metallicity scenario, the last of which is closely related to the properties of the hot CNO cycle.

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arXiv2024

NinjaSat: Astronomical X-ray CubeSat Observatory

NinjaSat is an X-ray CubeSat designed for agile, long-term continuous observations of bright X-ray sources, with the size of 6U ($100\times200\times300$ mm$^3$) and a mass of 8 kg. NinjaSat is capable of pointing at X-ray sources with an accuracy of less than $0^{\circ}\hspace{-1.0mm}.1$ (2$σ$ confidence level) with 3-axis attitude control. The satellite bus is a commercially available NanoAvionics M6P, equipped with two non-imaging gas X-ray detectors covering an energy range of 2-50 keV. A total effective area of 32 cm$^2$ at 6 keV is capable of observing X-ray sources with a flux of approximately 10$^{-10}$ erg cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$. The arrival time of each photon can be tagged with a time resolution of 61 $μ$s. The two radiation belt monitors continuously measure the fluxes of protons above 5 MeV and electrons above 200 keV trapped in the geomagnetic field, alerting the X-ray detectors when the flux exceeds a threshold. The NinjaSat project started in 2020. Fabrication of the scientific payloads was completed in August 2022, and satellite integration and tests were completed in July 2023. NinjaSat was launched into a Sun-synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of about 530 km on 2023 November 11 by the SpaceX Transporter-9 mission. After about three months of satellite commissioning and payload verification, we observed the Crab Nebula on February 9, 2024, and successfully detected the 33.8262 ms pulsation from the neutron star. With this observation, NinjaSat met the minimum success criterion and stepped forward to scientific observations as initially planned. By the end of November 2024, we successfully observed 21 X-ray sources using NinjaSat. This achievement demonstrates that, with careful target selection, we can conduct scientific observations effectively using CubeSats, contributing to time-domain astronomy.

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arXiv2024

Studying geometry of the ultraluminous X-ray pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124 using X-ray and optical polarimetry

Discovery of pulsations from a number of ULXs proved that accretion onto neutron stars can produce luminosities exceeding the Eddington limit by several orders of magnitude. The conditions necessary to achieve such high luminosities as well as the exact geometry of the accretion flow in the neutron star vicinity are, however, a matter of debate. The pulse phase-resolved polarization measurements that became possible with the launch of the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) can be used to determine the pulsar geometry and its orientation relative to the orbital plane. They provide an avenue to test different theoretical models of ULX pulsars. In this paper we present the results of three IXPE observations of the first Galactic ULX pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124 during its 2023 outburst. We find strong variations in the polarization characteristics with the pulsar phase. The average polarization degree increases from about 5% to 15% as the flux dropped by a factor of three in the course of the outburst. The polarization angle (PA) as a function of the pulsar phase shows two peaks in the first two observations, but changes to a characteristic sawtooth pattern in the remaining data set. This is not consistent with a simple rotating vector model. Assuming the existence of an additional constant polarized component, we were able to fit the three observations with a common rotating vector model and obtain constraints on the pulsar geometry. In particular, we find the pulsar angular momentum inclination with respect to the line of sight of 15-40 deg, the magnetic obliquity of 60-80 deg, and the pulsar spin position angle of -50 deg, which significantly differs from the constant component PA of about 10 deg. Combining these X-ray measurements with the optical PA, we find evidence for at least a 30 deg misalignment between the pulsar angular momentum and the binary orbital axis.

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arXiv2024

Evidence for a shock-compressed magnetic field in the northwestern rim of Vela Jr. from X-ray polarimetry

Synchrotron X-ray emission has been detected from nearly a dozen young supernova remnants (SNRs). X-rays of synchrotron origin exhibit linear polarization in a regular, non-randomly oriented magnetic field. The significant polarized X-ray emission from four such SNRs has already been reported on the basis of observations with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). The magnetic-field structure as derived from IXPE observations is radial for Cassiopeia A, Tycho's SNR, and SN 1006, and tangential for RX J1713.7-3946. The latter together with the recent detection of a tangential magnetic field in SNR 1E 0102.2-7219 by the Australia Telescope Compact Array in the radio band shows that tangential magnetic fields can also be present in young SNRs. Thus, the dichotomy in polarization between young and middle-aged SNRs (radial magnetic fields in young SNRs, but tangential magnetic fields in middle-aged SNRs), previously noticed in the radio band, deserves additional attention. The present analysis of IXPE observations determines, for the first time, a magnetic-field structure in the northwestern rim of Vela Jr, also known as RX J0852.0-4622, and provides a new example of a young SNR with a tangential magnetic field.

astro-ph.HE↗