X-ray polarimetryThe method by which the Bragg-crystal X-ray polarimeters aboard Ariel 5 and OSO 8 operate is briefly described, and some results obtained with these instruments for six Galactic X-ray sources are summarized. A precision measurement of the linear polarization in the Crab Nebula at energies of 2.6 and 5.2 keV is presented. Evidence is given for polarization in Sco X-1, Cyg X-2, Cen X-3, and the X-ray transient A0620-00. The determined or estimated polarizations are approximately 19.2% at 2.6 keV and 19.5% at 5.2 keV for the Crab Nebula, 1.1% at 2.6 keV and 2.4% at 5.2 keV for Sco X-1, 2.5% at 2.6 keV and 9.8% at 5.2 keV for Cyg X-1, an upper limit of 13.5% for A0620-00, an upper limit of 13.5% to the time-averaged polarization of Cen X-3, and an apparent value of about 5% for Cyg X-2.
Document ID
19800029210
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Long, K. S. (Columbia Univ. New York, NY, United States)
Chanan, G. A. (Columbia Univ. New York, NY, United States)
Helfand, D. J. (Columbia Univ. New York, NY, United States)
Ku, W. H.-M. (Columbia Univ. New York, NY, United States)
Novick, R. (Columbia University New York, N.Y., United States)