2017/04/06 by Thiem Hoang, Hoang, Thiem
Physics and Astronomy · #Astro and Planetary Science #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA) #FOS: Physical sciences #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1704.01721
openalex publication_date 2017/04/06 · openalex created_date 2022/08/29 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Polarization of optical starlight and far-infrared thermal dust emission due\nto alignment of interstellar grains offers a powerful window to study magnetic\nfields in the various astrophysical environments, from the diffuse interstellar\nmedium to accretion disks surrounding young stars. Precision cosmology requires\naccurate model of Galactic dust polarization for the first detection of Cosmic\nMicrowave Background (CMB) B-modes signal. Such an accurate model is only\nachieved when a quantitative theory of grain alignment that links grain\nalignment efficiency with local physical conditions and dust properties is\ndeveloped and tested. In this paper, we review the successful development of\nsuch a quantitative alignment theory, focusing on a unified model of grain\nalignment based on radiative torques and magnetic relaxation for dust grains\nincorporated with iron inclusions. We discuss the implication of the unified\nalignment model for interpreting the latest observational results by Planck and\nALMA.\n