X-ray polarization from parsec-scale components of active galactic nuclei: observational prospects

0585888 - ASÚ 2025 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Podgorný, Jakub - Marin, F. - Dovčiak, Michal
X-ray polarization from parsec-scale components of active galactic nuclei: observational prospects.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Roč. 527, č. 1 (2024), s. 1114-1134. ISSN 0035-8711. E-ISSN 1365-2966
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GX21-06825X
Institutional support: RVO:67985815
Keywords : polarization * radiative transfer * relativistic processes
OECD category: Astronomy (including astrophysics,space science)
Impact factor: 4.8, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access

We present a broad analysis of X-ray polarimetric observational prospects for radio-quiet active galactic nuclei (AGN), focusing on the role of parsec-scale components. We provide a revision of self-consistent type-1 and type-2 generic AGN radiative transfer models that were obtained with a Monte Carlo code STOKES, evaluating the effects of absorption and scattering. Our model consists of a central disc-corona emission obtained with the KYNSTOKES code in the lamp-post geometry, an equatorial wedge-shaped dusty torus and two symmetric conical polar outflows. We argue that the information on the mutual orientation, shape, relative size, and composition of such components, usually obtained from spectroscopy or polarimetry in other wavelengths, is essential for the X-ray polarization analysis of the obscured type-2 AGNs. We provide general detectability prospects for AGNs with 2-8 keV polarimeters onboard of the currently flying Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) satellite and the forthcoming enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission. Finally, we assess the role of contemporary X-ray polarimetry in our understandings of the unified AGN model after the first year and a half of IXPE operation.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0353529