Radio Jet–Ambient Medium Interactions on Parsec Scales in the Blazar 1055+018

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Abstract
As part of our study of the magnetic fields of active galactic nuclei, we have recently observed a large sample of blazars with the Very Long Baseline Array. Here we report the discovery of a striking two-component jet in the source 1055+018 that consists of an inner spine with a transverse magnetic field and a fragmentary but distinct boundary layer with a longitudinal magnetic field. The polarization distribution in the spine strongly supports shocked-jet models, while that in the boundary layer suggests interaction with the surrounding medium. This behavior suggests a new way to understand the differing polarization properties of strong- and weak-lined blazars.