3D B-fieLds in the InterStellar medium and Star-forming regions (3D-BLISS): I. Using Starlight Polarization in the Massive IRDC Filament G11.11-0.12

Abstract

Measuring three-dimensional magnetic fields (3D B-fields) is essential to understand the formation and evolution of the interstellar medium and multi-scale star formation; however, the accurate measurement of 3D B-fields is still challenging. The dust polarization angles by magnetically aligned grains provide the projected B-fields onto the plane-of-sky, while the dust polarization degree provides the B-field's inclination angle with respect to the line-of-sight. Our previous theoretical studies proposed a new method of probing 3D B-fields using dust polarization combined with the Radiative Torque (RAT) alignment theory and demonstrated the accurate inference of B-field inclination angles using synthetic polarization data. In this paper, we report the first application of the new technique to study 3D B-fields and dust properties in the G11.11-0.12 filament (hereafter G11) from starlight polarization observations taken by ISRF/SIRPOL at $2.19\,\rmμm$. Using both observed starlight polarization and optical dust extinction curves from the Gaia mission, we constrained the maximum grain size of $0.25\,\rmμm$ and the grain elongation with an axial ratio of $s\gtrsim 1.4$ in the outer regions of G11. We calculated the alignment properties in G11 by using the \textsc{DustPOL\_py} code. The B-field's inclination angles in G11 are then inferred from the observed starlight polarization efficiency when the grain alignment is included, with a mean angle of $\sim 48$ degrees. From these inferred inclination angles, we found evidence of the local 3D arc-shaped B-field structure toward the sightline. These findings are important for understanding 3D B-field's roles in the formation and evolution of massive filamentary clouds.