Circular polarization of astrophysical masers due to overlap of Zeeman components

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (47) References (12) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Circular Polarization of Astrophysical Masers Due to Overlap of Zeeman Components Deguchi, S. ; Watson, W. D. Abstract Calculational methods are presented and utilized in an idealized case to evaluate the polarization due to the overlap of Zeeman components that arises in the radiation from astrophysical masers. The essential simplicity of this previously unrecognized effect is a compelling argument in its favor as the basic cause for the strong, net circular polarization of the OH masers. Observations can then be interpreted to yield an estimate for the strength of the magnetic fields in the masing regions, even when Zeeman pairs cannot be identified as is usually the situation. Magnetic fields of approximately a milligauss or greater are inferred to be common in the masing gas associated with regions of star formation. This estimate should be considerably more general than the specific assumptions of the present calculation. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: January 1986 DOI: 10.1086/184594 Bibcode: 1986ApJ...300L..15D Keywords: Circular Polarization; Computational Astrophysics; Hydroxyl Emission; Interstellar Masers; Stellar Evolution; Zeeman Effect; Magnetic Field Configurations; Spectral Line Width; Astrophysics; MASERS; POLARIZATION full text sources ADS |