Polarization of fast radio bursts: radiation mechanisms and propagation effects

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are observed to be highly polarized. Most have high linear polarization but a small fraction shows significant circular polarization. We systematically investigate a variety of polarization mechanisms of FRBs within the magnetar theoretical framework considering two emission sites inside and outside the magnetosphere. For each site, we discuss both intrinsic radiation mechanisms and propagation effects. Inside the magnetosphere, we investigate the polarization properties of both coherent curvature radiation and inverse Compton scattering by charged bunches and conclude that both mechanisms produce 100 per cent linear polarization at an on-axis geometry but can produce circular polarization if the viewing angle is off axis. The lack of circular polarization for the majority of bursts requires that the bunches have a large transverse dimension size. Resonant cyclotron absorption within magnetosphere may produce high circular polarization if electrons and positrons have an asymmetric Lorentz factor distribution. Outside the magnetosphere, the synchrotron maser emission mechanism in general produces highly linearly polarized emission. Circular polarization would appear at off-beam angles but the flux is greatly degraded and such bursts are not detectable at cosmological distances. Synchrotron absorption in a nebula with ordered magnetic field may reduce the circular polarization degree. Cyclotron absorption in a strongly magnetized medium may generate significant circular polarization. Faraday conversion in a medium with field reversal can convert one polarization mode to another. The two absorption processes require stringent physical conditions. Significant Faraday conversion may be realized in a magnetized dense environment involving binary systems or supernova remnants.

Automated summary

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) show various polarization mechanisms in both the magnetosphere and the surrounding regions. Coherent curvature radiation and inverse Compton scattering inside the magnetosphere can produce both linear and circular polarization depending on the viewing angle. Synchrotron maser emission outside the magnetosphere mainly generates linear polarization, while circular polarization appears at off-beam angles. However, the detectability of circularly polarized bursts at cosmological distances is greatly reduced.