“X-ray Polarimetry of Supernova Remnants with IXPE“
Supernova Remnants (SNRs) are among the most important sources of non-thermal X-rays in the sky and are likely contributors to Galactic cosmic rays, and represent ideal targets to showcase the capabilities of the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) in performing spatially resolved X-ray polarimetry.
For the first time, it is possible to probe the level of order and morphology of magnetic fields close to acceleration sites, providing crucial constraints on diffusive shock acceleration and the generation of turbulence.
In this seminar, I will present a comprehensive review of IXPE’s findings on the six SNRs observed during its mission: Cassiopeia A, Tycho, SN 1006, RX J1713.7-3946, Vela Jr., and RCW 86.
These objects exhibit a wide range of characteristics, including dynamical age, spectral composition, and progenitor type.
Equally, they revealed significantly different results among them, providing unexpected insights and shedding light on particle acceleration mechanisms in astrophysical shocks.