Open AccessCosmic microwave background polarization due to scattering in clusters
Author(s) -
Shimon M.,
Rephaeli Y.,
O'Shea B. W.,
Norman M. L.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2006.10212.x
Subject(s) - physics , cosmic microwave background , polarization (electrochemistry) , scattering , astrophysics , cosmic background radiation , quadrupole , microwave , electron , galaxy , galaxy cluster , computational physics , astronomy , optics , atomic physics , nuclear physics , anisotropy , chemistry , quantum mechanics
Scattering of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) in clusters of galaxies polarizes the radiation. We explore several polarization components which have their origin in the kinematic quadrupole moments induced by the motion of the scattering electrons, either directed or random. Polarization levels and patterns are determined in a cluster simulated by the hydrodynamical enzo code. We find that polarization signals can be as high as ∼1 μK , a level that may be detectable by upcoming CMB experiments.