Are there rotation measure gradients across active galactic nuclei jets?

Abstract

We report on multi-frequency polarimetry very long baseline interferometry observations of active galactic nuclei using the Very Long Baseline Array. These observations are used to construct images of the Faraday rotation measure (RM) in J1613+342, Mrk 501, 3C 371, and BL Lac. Despite having resolved the jets in total intensity and polarization for three of these sources no RM gradients are found. This is in contrast to the large fraction of sources with RM gradients now claimed in the literature and invoked as evidence in support of helical magnetic fields. We propose objective criteria for establishing what constitutes an RM gradient. Furthermore, although we note the absence of simple, monotonic gradients, comparison with simulations could reveal systematic changes in the RM that may be masked by a varying jet orientation. © 2010. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.