Revealing the Spectral Properties of Magnetic Turbulence by Synchrotron Polarization Gradients

Based on the modern understanding of MHD turbulence theory, we propose a new method for measuring the spectral properties of magnetic turbulence by synchrotron polarization gradient analysis. Using synthetic polarization observational data, we first confirm the feasibility of the gradient technique...

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Main Authors: Jian-Fu Zhang, Zi-Qi Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:The Astrophysical Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/add5f2
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author Jian-Fu Zhang
Zi-Qi Liu
author_facet Jian-Fu Zhang
Zi-Qi Liu
author_sort Jian-Fu Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Based on the modern understanding of MHD turbulence theory, we propose a new method for measuring the spectral properties of magnetic turbulence by synchrotron polarization gradient analysis. Using synthetic polarization observational data, we first confirm the feasibility of the gradient technique to determine the scaling properties of magnetic turbulence. We then apply this technique to the Galactic plane survey data from the Australia Telescope Compact Array and obtain the power-law spectral feature of the Galactic magnetic turbulence of E  ∝  k ^−10/3 . Gradient techniques open up a new way to obtain spectral properties of magnetic turbulence from polarization observations, such as the Low-Frequency Array for Radio Astronomy, in the presence of low-frequency and strong Faraday depolarization.
format Article
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institution DOAJ
issn 1538-4357
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher IOP Publishing
record_format Article
series The Astrophysical Journal
spelling doaj-art-0876f39ea04145dab80eb1aba51639b82025-08-20T03:12:42ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal1538-43572025-01-01985223510.3847/1538-4357/add5f2Revealing the Spectral Properties of Magnetic Turbulence by Synchrotron Polarization GradientsJian-Fu Zhang0Zi-Qi Liu1Department of Physics, Xiangtan University , Xiangtan, Hunan 411105, People’s Republic of China ; jfzhang@xtu.edu.cn; Key Laboratory of Stars and Interstellar Medium, Xiangtan University , Xiangtan 411105, People’s Republic of ChinaDepartment of Physics, Xiangtan University , Xiangtan, Hunan 411105, People’s Republic of China ; jfzhang@xtu.edu.cnBased on the modern understanding of MHD turbulence theory, we propose a new method for measuring the spectral properties of magnetic turbulence by synchrotron polarization gradient analysis. Using synthetic polarization observational data, we first confirm the feasibility of the gradient technique to determine the scaling properties of magnetic turbulence. We then apply this technique to the Galactic plane survey data from the Australia Telescope Compact Array and obtain the power-law spectral feature of the Galactic magnetic turbulence of E  ∝  k ^−10/3 . Gradient techniques open up a new way to obtain spectral properties of magnetic turbulence from polarization observations, such as the Low-Frequency Array for Radio Astronomy, in the presence of low-frequency and strong Faraday depolarization.https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/add5f2Interplanetary turbulenceInterstellar emissionsAstrophysical magnetismInterstellar synchrotron emissionMagnetohydrodynamics
spellingShingle Jian-Fu Zhang
Zi-Qi Liu
Revealing the Spectral Properties of Magnetic Turbulence by Synchrotron Polarization Gradients
The Astrophysical Journal
Interplanetary turbulence
Interstellar emissions
Astrophysical magnetism
Interstellar synchrotron emission
Magnetohydrodynamics
title Revealing the Spectral Properties of Magnetic Turbulence by Synchrotron Polarization Gradients
title_full Revealing the Spectral Properties of Magnetic Turbulence by Synchrotron Polarization Gradients
title_fullStr Revealing the Spectral Properties of Magnetic Turbulence by Synchrotron Polarization Gradients
title_full_unstemmed Revealing the Spectral Properties of Magnetic Turbulence by Synchrotron Polarization Gradients
title_short Revealing the Spectral Properties of Magnetic Turbulence by Synchrotron Polarization Gradients
title_sort revealing the spectral properties of magnetic turbulence by synchrotron polarization gradients
topic Interplanetary turbulence
Interstellar emissions
Astrophysical magnetism
Interstellar synchrotron emission
Magnetohydrodynamics
url https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/add5f2
work_keys_str_mv AT jianfuzhang revealingthespectralpropertiesofmagneticturbulencebysynchrotronpolarizationgradients
AT ziqiliu revealingthespectralpropertiesofmagneticturbulencebysynchrotronpolarizationgradients