Spin Tetrad Formalism of Circular Polarization States in Relativistic Jets

Relativistic jets from active galactic nuclei (AGN) have been a topic of peak interest in the high-energy astrophysics community for their uniquely dynamic nature and incredible radiative power emanating from supermassive black holes and similarly accreting compact dense objects. An overall consensus on relativistic jet formation states that accelerated outflow at high Lorentz factors are generated by a complex relationship between the accretion disk of the system and the frame-dragging effects of the rotating massive central object. This paper will provide a basis for which circular polarization states, defined using a spin tetrad formalism, contribute to a description for the angular momentum flux in the jet emanating from the central engine. A representation of the Kerr spacetime is used in formulating the spin tetrad forms. A discussion on unresolved problems in jet formation and how we can use multi-method observations with polarimetry of AGN to direct future theoretical descriptions will also be given.

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Publication Details

Journal
Universe
Published
2025-11-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/universe11110364
Primary Topic
Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Spin Tetrad Formalism of Circular Polarization States in Relativistic Jets

Ronald Gamble
Universe
Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
article

Spin Tetrad Formalism of Circular Polarization States in Relativistic Jets

Ronald Gamble
article en

Abstract

Relativistic jets from active galactic nuclei (AGN) have been a topic of peak interest in the high-energy astrophysics community for their uniquely dynamic nature and incredible radiative power emanating from supermassive black holes and similarly accreting compact dense objects. An overall consensus on relativistic jet formation states that accelerated outflow at high Lorentz factors are generated by a complex relationship between the accretion disk of the system and the frame-dragging effects of the rotating massive central object. This paper will provide a basis for which circular polarization states, defined using a spin tetrad formalism, contribute to a description for the angular momentum flux in the jet emanating from the central engine. A representation of the Kerr spacetime is used in formulating the spin tetrad forms. A discussion on unresolved problems in jet formation and how we can use multi-method observations with polarimetry of AGN to direct future theoretical descriptions will also be given.

UniverseVol. 11(11)
Goddard Space Flight Center (US), Deleted Institution, University of Maryland, College Park (US)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center
Openalex Percentile: Top 85%
Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
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