Polarization Asymmetry in CSS Sources

Abstract

We show that the compact steep spectrum sources are more asymmetric in the polarization of the outer lobes compared with the more extended ones. This could be due to interaction of the jets with infalling material, which fuels the radio source. The CSS sources show no dependence of the polarization asymmetry on redshift, suggesting that the environments on the CSS scales are similar at different redshifts. However, the polarization asymmetry of the oppositely-directed lobes is larger at higher redshifts for the more extended sources, possibly reflecting the higher incidence of interactions in the past.