Polarimetric observations at low radio frequencies
type: CreativeWork
description: Magnetic fields play a fundamental role in the evolution of astrophysical systems. These fields can be studied through wide-field spectropolarimetry, which allows for faint polarised signals to be detected at relatively low radio frequencies. An interferometric polarisation mode has recently become available at the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). A detailed analysis of the GMRT’s instrumental response is presented. The findings are used to create a polarisation pipeline, which in combination with rotation measure (RM) Synthesis is used for the detection of extended linearly polarised emission at 610 MHz. A number of compact sources are detected and their Faraday depth and polarisation fraction are reported for the first time. New holography observations of the GMRT’s primary beam are presented. Instantaneous off-axis polarisation is substantial and scales with the Stokes I beam. The developed beam models are used to reduce direction-dependent instrumental polarisation, and the Stokes I beam is shown to deviate from circular symmetry. A new technique for electric vector polarisation angle calibration is developed that removes the need for known sources on the sky, eliminates ionospheric effects, and avoids a flaw in current methods which could erroneously yield multiple Faraday components for sources that are well-parameterised by a single RM. A sample of nine galaxies from two Southern Compact Groups are then presented, with constraints being placed on the polarised fraction, RM, spectral index, star formation rate, companion sources, and hydrodynamical state. One galaxy has a displaced peak of radio emission that is extended beyond the disk in comparison to the near-IR disk – suggesting the radio disturbance may be a consequence of ram pressure stripping. Linear polarisation is detected from the core of NGC 7552 at 610 MHz, while another three galaxies ESO 0353–G036, NGC 7590, and NGC 7599 are found to be unpolarised. An analysis of additional extended sour…
abstract: Magnetic fields play a fundamental role in the evolution of astrophysical systems. These fields can be studied through wide-field spectropolarimetry, which allows for faint polarised signals to be detected at relatively low radio frequencies. An interferometric polarisation mode has recently become available at the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). A detailed analysis of the GMRT’s instrumental response is presented. The findings are used to create a polarisation pipeline, which in combination with rotation measure (RM) Synthesis is used for the detection of extended linearly polarised emission at 610 MHz. A number of compact sources are detected and their Faraday depth and polarisation fraction are reported for the first time. New holography observations of the GMRT’s primary beam are presented. Instantaneous off-axis polarisation is substantial and scales with the Stokes I beam. The developed beam models are used to reduce direction-dependent instrumental polarisation, and the Stokes I beam is shown to deviate from circular symmetry. A new technique for electric vector polarisation angle calibration is developed that removes the need for known sources on the sky, eliminates ionospheric effects, and avoids a flaw in current methods which could erroneously yield multiple Faraday components for sources that are well-parameterised by a single RM. A sample of nine galaxies from two Southern Compact Groups are then presented, with constraints being placed on the polarised fraction, RM, spectral index, star formation rate, companion sources, and hydrodynamical state. One galaxy has a displaced peak of radio emission that is extended beyond the disk in comparison to the near-IR disk – suggesting the radio disturbance may be a consequence of ram pressure stripping. Linear polarisation is detected from the core of NGC 7552 at 610 MHz, while another three galaxies ESO 0353–G036, NGC 7590, and NGC 7599 are found to be unpolarised. An analysis of additional extended sour…
author: Farnes, Jamie S.
language: eng
license: https://apollo8-f-pro.lib.cam.ac.uk/bitstreams/723a84f7-f133-4b67-b50f-a4ea05c8afaa/download
license: https://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved/
date published: 2012-10-09
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:24:18Z
provider: Cambridge University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Cambridge

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.17863/CAM.16621