X-ray Polarimetry: A New Window in Astrophysics

Description

Due to the advent of a new generation of detectors, X-ray polarimetry promises to join X-ray imaging, spectroscopy and timing as one of the main observational techniques in high energy astrophysics. This has renewed interest in the field, and indeed several polarimetric missions have recently been proposed. This volume provides a complete and up-to-date view of the subject for researchers in astrophysics. The contributors discuss the present status and perspectives of instruments, review current theoretical models, and examine future missions. As well as detailed papers, the book contains broad reviews that can be easily understood by astrophysicists new to the field.

Ronaldo Bellazzini is Director of Research at the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Italy. His main research interests are particle astrophysics, X-ray polarimetry, and the development of highly innovative particle detectors. Enrico Costa is Director of Research at the Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica Cosmica-Roma of the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF). His areas of research are in X-ray and gamma-ray astrophysics and polarimetry. Giorgio Matt is a Professor at the Physics Department, Universita Roma Tre, where he teaches both basic physics and astrophysics. His research activities are concerned mainly with the physics of accretion onto black holes, from both theoretical and observational points of view. Gianpiero Tagliaferri is an Associate Astronomer at the Brera Astronomical Observatory of INAF. His research activities deal with the studies of gamma-ray bursts, active galactic nuclei, and with the development of new X-ray focussing telescopes.