Spatially extended measurements of magnetic field strength in solar plages

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (69) References (30) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Spatially Extended Measurements of Magnetic Field Strength in Solar Plages Rabin, Douglas Abstract The study determines magnetic field strengths along one spatial dimension of a plage region from circularly polarized (Stokes V) spectra of a highly Zeeman-sensitive iron line at 6388.6/cm (1.565 micron). The measured fields are found to lie primarily in the range 1200-1700 G. The mean formal precision for a single determination is +/-65 G. More than 90 percent of the magnetic flux is kilogauss-strength fields. The field strength is coherently organized on spatial scales from 1 arcmin to the limit of angular resolution (2 arcsec). It is inferred from the amplitude of the V signal that the spatial filling factor of the strong-field elements can approach 0.5 within a 2-arcsec resolution element. Magnetic field strength and amplitude are correlated in the sense that locations with stronger mean fields have larger V amplitudes, but the relationship shows more scatter than can be explained by errors in measurement. The individual sigma-components of the V profile are broader than an average quiet-sun line profile would produce by an amount corresponding to 625 G or 4.1 km/s; Zeeman broadening due to a range of magnetic field strength within the resolution element is proposed as the likely explanation. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: June 1992 DOI: 10.1086/171392 Bibcode: 1992ApJ...391..832R Keywords: Faculae; Magnetic Flux; Magnetic Measurement; Near Infrared Radiation; Solar Magnetic Field; Photosphere; Zeeman Effect; Solar Physics; SUN: ACTIVITY; SUN: MAGNETIC FIELDS full text sources ADS |