2011A&A...529A..15X

Linear polarization of diffuse Galactic emission is a signature of magnetic fields in the interstellar medium of our Galaxy. Observations at high frequencies are less affected by Faraday depolarization than those at lower frequencies and are able to detect polarized emission from more distant Galactic regions. We attempt to perform a sensitive survey of the polarized emission from the Galactic disk at λ6cm wavelength. We made polarization observations of the Galactic plane using the Urumqi 25-m telescope at λ6cm covering the area of 60°≤l≤129° and |b|≤5°. Missing large-scale structures in polarization were restored by extrapolation of the WMAP polarization data. We present λ6cm total intensity and linear polarization maps of the surveyed region. We identify two new extended HII regions G98.3-1.6 and G119.6+0.4 in this region. Numerous polarized patches and depolarization structures are visible in the polarization maps. Depolarization along the periphery of a few HII complexes was detected and can be explained by a Faraday screen model. We discuss some prominent depolarization HII regions, which have regular magnetic fields of several µG. Structure functions of U, Q, and PI images of the entire λ6cm survey region of 10°≤l≤230° exhibit much larger fluctuation power towards the inner Galaxy, which suggests a higher turbulence in the arm regions of the inner Galaxy. The Sino-German λ6cm survey reveals new properties of the diffuse magnetized interstellar medium. The survey is also very useful for studying individual objects such as HII regions, which may act as Faraday screens with high rotation measures and strong regular magnetic fields inside.