2004/10/01 by M. Sereno
Physics and Astronomy · #Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena #Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.08456.x
published as Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 356 (2005) 381-385 · 5 pages; accepted for publication in MNRAS
arxiv created 2004/10/01 · openalex publication_date 2004/12/15 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
We discuss the effects of an isolated gravitational lens on the rotation of the plane of polarization of linearly polarized light rays, so-called gravitational Faraday rotation, in metric theories of gravity. By applying the thin-lens approximation, we derive simple expressions for extended, rotating astrophysical systems deflecting electromagnetic radiation from background sources. Higher-order corrections and the case of a Kerr black hole are also considered to show how the rotation of polarization is a purely gravitomagnetic effect. Prospects for future detection of gravitational Faraday rotation are examined.