Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Monthy Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Abstract
We present high-angular (0.17–0.35 arcsec) resolution imaging polarimetric observations of Mrk 231 in the 3.1 μm filter using MMT-Pol on the 6.5-m MMT, and in the 8.7, 10.3, and 11.6 μm filters using CanariCam on the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio CANARIAS. In combination with already published observations, we compile the 1–12 μm total and polarized nuclear spectral energy distribution (SED). The total flux SED in the central 400 pc is explained as the combination of (1) a hot (731 4 K) dusty structure, directly irradiated by the central engine, which is at 1.6 0.1 pc away and attributed to be in the pc-scale polar region, (2) an optically-thick, smooth and disc-like dusty structure (‘torus’) with an inclination of 48◦ 23◦ surrounding the central engine, and (3) an extinguished (AV 36 5 mag) starburst component. The polarized SED decreases from 0.77 0.14 per cent at 1.2 μm to 0.31 0.15 per cent at 11.6 μm and follows a power-law function, λ∼0.57. The polarization angle remains constant ( 108◦) in the 1–12 μm wavelength range. The dominant polarization mechanism is explained as scattering-off hot dust grains in the pc-scale polar regions.
First Page
1762
Last Page
1770
DOI
10.1093/mnras/stw2491
Publication Date
9-30-2016
Recommended Citation
Lopez-Rodriguez, E.; Packham, C.; Jones, T. J.; Siebenmorgen, R.; Roche, P. F.; Levenson, N. A.; Alonso-Herrero, A.; Perlman, E.; Ichikawa, K.; Ramos Almeida, C.; Gonzalez-Martin, O.; Nikutta, R.; Martinez-Paredez, M.; Shenoy, D.; Gordon, M. S.; and Telesco, C. M., "Infrared Polarimetry Of Mrk 231: Scattering Off Hot Dust Grains In The Central Core" (2016). Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications. 671.
https://repository.fit.edu/apss_faculty/671
