Radio-loud AGN-jet morphology and polarization: The role of ultra-high resolution radio surveys

Abstract

A review of the current challenges for the understanding of the physics of extragalactic radio jets from supermassive black holes is presented. Also, a prospect is given about how both very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) and polarimetric observations help us to understand their physics and the ones of their magnetic fields. This paper focuses on the impact that previous ultra-high resolution polarimetric surveys have had on our current knowledge on radio loud AGN. It first concentrates on the expectations about the improvement that the Square Kilometer Array, used as a super-sensitive VLBI station on existing and future very long baseline interferometric arrays, will provide in terms of access to new source classes, and in terms of a deeper portion of the Universe than currently accessible. A series of key new radio loud AGN science fields, to be opened by the Square Kilometer Array, are outlined together with a collection of preliminary ideas about possible programs of interest to deep in such fields. The complementary aspects of future super-sensitive VLBI observations as compared to deep continuumsurveyswith the Square Kilometer Array and its precursors are also outlined here. EXTRA-RADSUR2015.