Polarization of synchrotron radiation from conical shock waves

Simulated images of synchrotron intensity and polarization are presented for a simple, semidynamical model of conical shock waves in an astrophysical jet. Earlier work is extended by inclusion of a component of upstream magnetic field parallel to the jet in addition to the tangled (or disordered) component considered in the earlier paper. Results for several cases representing shocks of moderate strength are shown. It is found that the on-axis polarization reflects the upstream magnetic field structure. Off-axis, the electric field of polarization is oblique to the axis and covers a range depending on the shock cone angle and viewing angle. The results are compared with the structure of a bright knot about 0.8 arcsec from the nucleus in the quasar 3C 380, which may be an example of this kind of structure.