Polarization in Monte Carlo radiative transfer and dust scattering polarization signatures of spiral galaxies
Author
dc.contributor.author
Peest, C.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Camps, P.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Stalevski, Marko
Author
dc.contributor.author
Baes, M.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Siebenmorgen, R.
Admission date
dc.date.accessioned
2018-03-29T20:20:37Z
Available date
dc.date.available
2018-03-29T20:20:37Z
Publication date
dc.date.issued
2017-05
Cita de ítem
dc.identifier.citation
A&A 601, A92 (2017)
es_ES
Identifier
dc.identifier.other
10.1051/0004-6361/201630157
Identifier
dc.identifier.uri
https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/147098
Abstract
dc.description.abstract
Polarization is an important tool to further the understanding of interstellar dust and the sources behind it. In this paper we describe
our implementation of polarization that is due to scattering of light by spherical grains and electrons in the dust Monte Carlo radiative
transfer code SKIRT. In contrast to the implementations of other Monte Carlo radiative transfer codes, ours uses co-moving reference
frames that rely solely on the scattering processes. It fully supports the peel-off mechanism that is crucial for the efficient calculation
of images in 3D Monte Carlo codes. We develop reproducible test cases that push the limits of our code. The results of our program are
validated by comparison with analytically calculated solutions. Additionally, we compare results of our code to previously published
results. We apply our method to models of dusty spiral galaxies at near-infrared and optical wavelengths. We calculate polarization
degree maps and show them to contain signatures that trace characteristics of the dust arms independent of the inclination or rotation
of the galaxy.
es_ES
Patrocinador
dc.description.sponsorship
BELSPO, the BELgian federal Science Policy Office
FONDECYT
3140518
Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
176001
176003
COST Action MP1104, "Polarization as a tool to study the Solar System and beyond"