Work

A Comparison of the X-Ray Polarimetric Properties of Stellar and Supermassive Black Holes

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: X-ray polarization provides a new way to probe accretion geometry in black hole systems. If the accretion geometry of black holes is similar regardless of mass, we should expect the same to be true of their polarization properties. We compare the polarimetric properties of all nonblazar black holes observed with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer. We find that their polarization properties are very similar, particularly in the hard state, where the corona dominates. This tentatively supports the idea that stellar and supermassive black holes share a common coronal geometry.

Source: The Astrophysical Journal

DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ad73a3

Authors: M. Lynne Saade, Philip Kaaret, Ioannis Liodakis, Steven R. Ehlert

Language: English

Topic: Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,499