Speaker
Prof.
Jeremy Heyl
(University of British Columbia)
Description
We argue that measurements of X-ray polarization using the recently launched Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer will answer many open questions about magnetars in particular the physical state of their surfaces, whether vacuum birefringence exists, and the nature of the hard X-ray emission from these objects. We outline the capabilities of the instrument, specific models and the results of simulations and observations for the magnetar 4U 0142+61.
Primary author
Prof.
Jeremy Heyl
(University of British Columbia)
