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Explore the fascinating physics of polarized X-ray emission from magnetars in this 45-minute conference talk by Dong Lai from Cornell University. Delve into the extreme conditions surrounding these highly magnetized neutron stars and understand how they produce polarized X-ray radiation. Learn about the underlying plasma processes that operate under relativistic conditions where quantum electrodynamics (QED) effects become significant. Examine how magnetic reconnection and shock phenomena behave in the intense magnetic fields of magnetars, which can reach strengths trillions of times stronger than Earth's magnetic field. Discover the observational signatures of these exotic objects and how polarization measurements provide crucial insights into their magnetic field structure and emission mechanisms. Gain understanding of the theoretical frameworks used to model X-ray polarization from magnetars and the challenges posed by the extreme physics involved. This presentation is part of a broader conference on extreme plasma astrophysics that brings together researchers from observational astronomy, theoretical astrophysics, plasma physics, and experimental physics to advance our understanding of the most extreme environments in the universe.
