MERLIN polarization observations of the quasar 3C380

The paper presents data on polarized radio emission from the quasar 3C 380 mapped at 1,666 MHz with the Multi-Element Radio-Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN), in connection with models to account for the structural appearance of extragalactic radio sources. The quasar 3C 380 is a steep-spectrum compact source (SSCS) at a redshift z=0.691, with a structure that may be interpreted as the result of interactions between a jet of plasma and interstellar gas. The linear polarization measurements are not consistent with the hypothesis that 3C 380 is distorted by pressure exerted by a moving external gas. (U.K.)