Doppler Imaging Code Research Articles

First Chromospheric Activity and Doppler Imaging Study of PW And Using a New Doppler Imaging Code: SpotDIPy

Measuring the coverage of dark spots on cool stars is important to understanding how stellar magnetic activity scales with the rotation rate and convection zone depth. In this respect, it is crucial to infer surface magnetic patterns on G and K stars, to reveal solar-like stellar dynamos in action. Molecular bands serve as invaluable indicators of cool spots on the surfaces of stars, as they play a crucial role in enabling accurate assessments of the extent of spot coverage across the stellar surface. Therefore, more reliable surface images can be obtained considering the inversion of atomic lines with molecular bands. In this context, we simultaneously carry out Doppler imaging (DI) using atomic lines as well as titanium oxide band profiles of PW And (K2 V) and also investigate chromospheric activity indicators for the first time in the literature, using high-resolution spectra. The surface spot distribution obtained from the inversion process represents both atomic line and TiO-band profiles quite accurately. The chromospheric emission is also correlated with photospheric spot coverage, except during a possible flare event during the observations. We detect frequent flare activity, using TESS photometry. We also introduce a new open-source, Python-based DI code SpotDIPy that allows performing surface reconstructions of single stars using the maximum entropy method. We test the code by comparing surface reconstruction simulations with the extensively used DoTS code. We show that the surface brightness distribution maps reconstructed via both codes using the same simulated data are consistent with each other.

EI Eridani: A star under the influence

Context. Homogeneous photometric time series spanning decades provide a unique opportunity to study the long-term cyclic behavior of active spotted stars such as our target EI Eridani. In addition, with ultraprecise space photometry data, it is possible to investigate the accompanying flare activity in detail. However, the rotation period of ≈2 days for EI Eri makes it impossible to achieve time-resolved surface images from a single ground-based observing site. Therefore, for this purpose, spectroscopic data from a multi-site observing campaign are needed. Aims. We use our photometric time series of more than 40 yr to analyze the long-term behavior of EI Eri. We investigate flare activity using photometric data obtained with the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The MUlti-SIte Continuous Spectroscopy (MUSICOS) campaign in 1998 was designed to achieve high-resolution, multi-wavelength spectroscopic observations from many sites around the globe, which meant that uninterrupted phase coverage of EI Eri became available. We use these data to reconstruct successive surface-temperature maps of the star in order to study the changes of starspots on a very short timescale. Methods. We used long-term seasonal period analysis of our photometric time series to study changes in the rotational period. We also applied short-term Fourier-transform to look for activity cycle-like changes. We also studied the phase and frequency distribution of hand-selected flares. We applied our multi-line Doppler imaging code to reconstruct four consecutive Doppler images. These images were also used to measure surface differential rotation with our cross-correlation technique. In addition, we carried out tests to demonstrate how Doppler imaging is affected by the fact that the data came from several different instruments with different spectral resolutions. Results. Seasonal period analysis of the light curve reveals a smooth, significant change in period, possibly indicating the evolution of active latitudes. Temperature curves from B − V and V − I show slight differences, indicating the activity of EI Eri is spot dominated. Short-term Fourier transform reveals smoothly changing cycles of between 4.5 and 5.5 yr and of between 8.9 and 11.6 yr. The time-resolved spotted surface of EI Eri from Doppler imaging enabled us to follow the evolution of the different surface features. Cross-correlating the consecutive Doppler maps reveals surface shear of α = 0.036 ± 0.007. Our tests validate our approach and show that the surface-temperature distribution is adequately reconstructed by our method. The tests also indicate how accurately the cross-correlation method can reproduce the surface shear as a function of the spectral resolution.

The large-scale magnetic field of the eccentric pre-main-sequence binary system V1878 Ori

ABSTRACT We report time-resolved, high-resolution optical spectropolarimetric observations of the young double-lined spectroscopic binary V1878 Ori. Our observations were collected with the ESPaDOnS spectropolarimeter at the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope through the BinaMIcS large programme. V1878 Ori A and B are partially convective intermediate mass weak-line T Tauri stars on an eccentric and asynchronous orbit. We also acquired X-ray observations at periastron and outside periastron. Using the least-squares deconvolution technique (LSD) to combine information from many spectral lines, we clearly detected circular polarization signals in both components throughout the orbit. We refined the orbital solution for the system and obtained disentangled spectra for the primary and secondary components. The disentangled spectra were then employed to determine atmospheric parameters of the two components using spectrum synthesis. Applying our Zeeman Doppler imaging code to composite Stokes IV LSD profiles, we reconstructed brightness maps and the global magnetic field topologies of the two components. We find that V1878 Ori A and B have strikingly different global magnetic field topologies and mean field strengths. The global magnetic field of the primary is predominantly poloidal and non-axisymmetric (with a mean field strength of 180 G). While the secondary has a mostly toroidal and axisymmetric global field (mean strength of 310 G). These findings confirm that stars with very similar parameters can exhibit radically different global magnetic field characteristics. The analysis of the X-ray data shows no sign of enhanced activity at periastron, suggesting the lack of strong magnetospheric interaction at this epoch.

Magnetic field topology of the cool, active, short-period binary system σ2 Coronae Borealis

Aims. The goal of this work is to study the cool, active binary star σ2 CrB, focussing on its magnetic field. The two F9–G0 components of this system are tidally locked and in a close orbit, increasing the chance of interaction between their magnetospheres. Methods. We used Stokes IV data from the twin spectropolarimeters Narval at the TBL and ESPaDOnS at the CFHT. The least-squares deconvolution multi-line technique was used to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the data. We then applied a new binary Zeeman–Doppler imaging code to reconstruct simultaneously the magnetic topology and brightness distribution of both components of σ2 CrB. This analysis was carried out for two observational epochs in 2014 and 2017. Results. A previously unconfirmed magnetic field of the primary star has been securely detected. At the same time, the polarisation signatures of the secondary appear to have a systematically larger amplitude than that of the primary. This corresponds to a stronger magnetic field, for which the magnetic energy of the secondary exceeds that of the primary by a factor of 3.3–5.7. While the magnetic energy is similar for the secondary star in the two epochs, the magnetic energy is about twice as high in 2017 for the primary. The magnetic field topology of the two stars in the earlier epoch (2014) is very different. The fractions of energy in the dipole and quadrupole components of the secondary are similar and thereafter decrease with increasing harmonic angular degree ℓ. At the same time, for the primary the fraction of energy in the dipole component is low and the maximum energy contribution comes from ℓ = 4. However, in the 2017 epoch both stars have similar field topologies and a systematically decreasing energy with increasing ℓ. In the earlier epoch, the magnetic field at the visible pole appears to be of opposite polarity for the primary and secondary, suggesting linked magnetospheres. The apparent rotational periods of both σ2 CrB components are longer than the orbital period, which we interpret as an evidence of a solar-like differential rotation. Conclusions. Despite their nearly identical fundamental parameters, the components of σ2 CrB system exhibit different magnetic field properties. This indicates that the magnetic dynamo process is a very sensitive function of stellar parameters.

Mixed poloidal–toroidal magnetic configuration and surface abundance distributions of the Bp star 36 Lyn★

Abstract Previous studies of the chemically peculiar Bp star 36 Lyn revealed a moderately strong magnetic field, circumstellar material and inhomogeneous surface abundance distributions of certain elements. We present in this paper an analysis of 33 high signal-to-noise ratio, high-resolution Stokes IV observations of 36 Lyn obtained with the Narval spectropolarimeter at the Bernard Lyot Telescope at Pic du Midi Observatory. From these data, we compute new measurements of the mean longitudinal magnetic field, Bℓ, using the multiline least-squares deconvolution (LSD) technique. A rotationally phased Bℓ curve reveals a strong magnetic field, with indications for deviation from a pure dipole field. We derive magnetic maps and chemical abundance distributions from the LSD profiles, produced using the Zeeman–Doppler imaging code InversLSD. Using a spherical harmonic expansion to characterize the magnetic field, we find that the harmonic energy is concentrated predominantly in the dipole mode (ℓ = 1), with significant contribution from both the poloidal and toroidal components. This toroidal field component is predicted theoretically, but not typically observed for Ap/Bp stars. Chemical abundance maps reveal a helium enhancement in a distinct region where the radial magnetic field is strong. Silicon enhancements are located in two regions, also where the radial field is stronger. Titanium and iron enhancements are slightly offset from the helium enhancements, and are located in areas where the radial field is weak, close to the magnetic equator.

The complex magnetic field topology of the cool Ap star 49 Cam

49 Cam is a cool magnetic chemically peculiar star which has been noted for showing strong, complex Zeeman linear polarisation signatures. This paper describes magnetic and chemical surface maps obtained for 49 Cam using the INVERS10 magnetic Doppler imaging code and high-resolution spectropolarimetric data in all four Stokes parameters collected with the ESPaDOnS and Narval spectropolarimeters at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and Pic du Midi Observatory. The reconstructed magnetic field maps of 49 Cam show a relatively complex structure. Describing the magnetic field topology in terms of spherical harmonics, we find significant contributions of modes up to l=3, including toroidal components. Observations cannot be reproduced using a simple low-order multipolar magnetic field structure. 49 Cam exhibits a level of field complexity that has not been seen in magnetic maps of other cool Ap stars. Hence we concluded that relatively complex magnetic fields are observed in Ap stars at both low and high effective temperatures. In addition to mapping the magnetic field, we also derive surface abundance distributions of nine chemical elements, including Ca, Sc, Ti, Cr, Fe, Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu. Comparing these abundance maps with the reconstructed magnetic field geometry, we find no clear relationship of the abundance distributions with the magnetic field for some elements. However, for other elements some distinct patterns are found. We discuss these results in the context of other recent magnetic mapping studies and theoretical predictions of radiative diffusion.

Doppler imaging of chemical spots on magnetic Ap/Bp stars

Doppler imaging (DI) is a powerful spectroscopic inversion technique that enables conversion of a line profile time series into a two-dimensional map of the stellar surface inhomogeneities. In this paper we investigate the accuracy of chemical abundance DI of Ap/Bp stars and assess the impact of several different systematic errors on the reconstructed spot maps. We simulate spectroscopic observational data for different spot distributions in the presence of a moderately strong dipolar magnetic field. We then reconstruct chemical maps using different sets of spectral lines and making different assumptions about line formation in the inversion calculations. Our numerical experiments demonstrate that a modern DI code successfully recovers the input chemical spot distributions comprised of multiple circular spots at different latitudes or an element overabundance belt at the magnetic equator. For the optimal reconstruction the average reconstruction errors do not exceed ~0.10 dex. The errors increase to about 0.15 dex when abundance distributions are recovered from a few and/or blended spectral lines. Ignoring a 2.5 kG dipolar magnetic field in chemical abundance DI leads to an average relative error of 0.2 dex and maximum errors of 0.3 dex. Similar errors are encountered if a DI inversion is carried out neglecting a non-uniform continuum brightness distribution and variation of the local atmospheric structure. This series of numerical DI simulations proves that inversions with simplifying assumptions of the non-magnetic radiative transfer and a single model atmosphere are generally reliable. We assess magnetic field strengths of several dozen Ap/Bp stars previously studied with DI methods, concluding that the vast majority of the published chemical spot maps are unaffected by the systematic errors addressed in this paper. (Abridged)

A maximum entropy approach to detect close-in giant planets around active stars

(shortened for arXiv) We aim to progress towards more efficient exoplanet detection around active stars by optimizing the use of Doppler Imaging in radial velocity measurements. We propose a simple method to simultaneously extract a brightness map and a set of orbital parameters through a tomographic inversion technique derived from classical Doppler mapping. Based on the maximum entropy principle, the underlying idea is to determine the set of orbital parameters that minimizes the information content of the resulting Doppler map. We carry out a set of numerical simulations to perform a preliminary assessment of the robustness of our method, using an actual Doppler map of the very active star HR 1099 to produce a realistic synthetic data set for various sets of orbital parameters of a single planet in a circular orbit. Using a simulated time-series of 50 line profiles affected by a peak-to-peak activity jitter of 2.5 km/s, we are able in most cases to recover the radial velocity amplitude, orbital phase and orbital period of an artificial planet down to a radial velocity semi-amplitude of the order of the radial velocity scatter due to the photon noise alone (about 50 m/s in our case). One noticeable exception occurs when the planetary orbit is close to co-rotation, in which case significant biases are observed in the reconstructed radial velocity amplitude, while the orbital period and phase remain robustly recovered. The present method constitutes a very simple way to extract orbital parameters from heavily distorted line profiles of active stars, when more classical radial velocity detection methods generally fail. It is easily adaptable to most existing Doppler Imaging codes, paving the way towards a systematic search for close-in planets orbiting young, rapidly-rotating stars.

The magnetic field topology and chemical abundance distributions of the Ap star HD 32633

Previous observations of the Ap star HD 32633 indicated that its magnetic field was unusually complex in nature and could not be characterised by a simple dipolar structure. Here we derive magnetic field maps and chemical abundance distributions for this star using full Stokes vector (Stokes $IQUV$) high-resolution observations obtained with the ESPaDOnS and Narval spectropolarimeters. Our maps, produced using the Invers10 magnetic Doppler imaging (MDI) code, show that HD 32633 has a strong magnetic field which features two large regions of opposite polarity but deviates significantly from a pure dipole field. We use a spherical harmonic expansion to characterise the magnetic field and find that the harmonic energy is predominately in the $\ell=1$ and $\ell=2$ poloidal modes with a small toroidal component. At the same time, we demonstrate that the observed Stokes parameter profiles of HD 32633 cannot be fully described by either a dipolar or dipolar plus quadrupolar field geometry. We compare the magnetic field topology of HD 32633 with other early-type stars for which MDI analyses have been performed, supporting a trend of increasing field complexity with stellar mass. We then compare the magnetic field topology of HD 32633 with derived chemical abundance maps for the elements Mg, Si, Ti, Cr, Fe, Ni and Nd. We find that the iron-peak elements show similar distributions, but we are unable to find a clear correlation between the location of local chemical enhancements or depletions and the magnetic field structure.

Three-dimensional magnetic and abundance mapping of the cool Ap star HD 24712

Aims: We present a magnetic Doppler imaging study from all Stokes parameters of the cool, chemically peculiar star HD 24712. This is the very first such analysis performed at a resolving power exceeding 10^5. Methods: The analysis is performed on the basis of phase-resolved observations of line profiles in all four Stokes parameters obtained with the HARPSpol instrument attached at the 3.6-m ESO telescope. We use the magnetic Doppler imaging code, INVERS10, which allows us to derive the magnetic field geometry and surface chemical abundance distributions simultaneously. Results: We report magnetic maps of HD 24712 recovered from a selection of FeI, FeII, NdIII, and NaI lines with strong polarization signals in all Stokes parameters. Our magnetic maps successfully reproduce most of the details available from our observation data. We used these magnetic field maps to produce abundance distribution map of Ca. This new analysis shows that the surface magnetic field of HD 24712 has a dominant dipolar component with a weak contribution from higher-order harmonics. The surface abundance distributions of Fe and Ca show enhancements near the magnetic equator with an underabundant patch at the visible (positive) magnetic pole; Nd is highly abundant around the positive magnetic pole. The Na abundance map shows a high overabundance around the negative magnetic pole. Conclusions: Based on our investigation and similar recent four Stokes parameter magnetic mapping studies, we present a tentative evidence for the hypothesis that Ap stars with dipole-like fields are older than stars with magnetic fields that have more small-scale structures. We find that our abundance maps are inconsistent with recent theoretical calculations of atomic diffusion in presence of magnetic fields.

Stokes IQUV magnetic Doppler imaging of Ap stars – III. Next generation chemical abundance mapping of α2 CVn★

In a previous paper, we presented an updated magnetic field map for the chemically peculiar star α2 CVn using ESPaDOnS and Narval time-resolved high-resolution Stokes IQUV spectra. In this paper, we focus on mapping various chemical element distributions on the surface of α2 CVn. With the new magnetic field map and new chemical abundance distributions, we can investigate the interplay between the chemical abundance structures and the magnetic field topology on the surface of α2 CVn. Previous attempts at chemical abundance mapping of α2 CVn relied on lower resolution data. With our high-resolution (R = 65 000) data set, we present nine chemical abundance maps for the elements O, Si, Cl, Ti, Cr, Fe, Pr, Nd and Eu. We also derive an updated magnetic field map from Fe and Cr lines in Stokes IQUV and O and Cl in Stokes IV. These new maps are inferred from line profiles in Stokes IV using the magnetic Doppler imaging code invers10. We examine these new chemical maps and investigate correlations with the magnetic topology of α2 CVn. We show that chemical abundance distributions vary between elements, with two distinct groups of elements; one accumulates close to the negative part of the radial field, whilst the other group shows higher abundances located where the radial magnetic field is of the order of 2 kG regardless of the polarity of the radial field component. We compare our results with previous works which have mapped chemical abundance structures of Ap stars. With the exception of Cr and Fe, we find no clear trend between what we reconstruct and other mapping results. We also find a lack of agreement with theoretical predictions. This suggests that there is a gap in our theoretical understanding of the formation of horizontal chemical abundance structures and the connection to the magnetic field in Ap stars.

Magnetic field topology of the unique chemically peculiar star CU Virginis

The late-B magnetic chemically peculiar star CU Vir is one of the fastest rotators among the intermediate-mass stars with strong fossil magnetic fields. It shows a prominent rotational modulation of the spectral energy distribution and absorption line profiles due to chemical spots and exhibits a unique strongly beamed variable radio emission. Little is known about the magnetic field topology of CU Vir. In this study we aim to derive, for the first time, detailed maps of the magnetic field distribution over the surface of this star. We use high-resolution spectropolarimetric observations covering the entire rotational period. These data are interpreted using a multi-line technique of least-squares deconvolution (LSD) and a new Zeeman Doppler imaging code based on detailed polarised radiative transfer modelling of the Stokes I and V LSD profiles. This new magnetic inversion approach relies on the spectrum synthesis calculations over the full wavelength range covered by observations and does not assume that the LSD profiles behave as a single spectral line with mean parameters. We present magnetic and chemical abundance maps derived from the Si and Fe lines. Mean polarisation profiles of both elements reveal a significant departure of the magnetic field topology of CU Vir from the commonly assumed axisymmetric dipolar configuration. The field of CU Vir is dipolar-like, but clearly non-axisymmetric, showing a large difference of the field strength between the regions of opposite polarity. The main relative abundance depletion features in both Si and Fe maps coincide with the weak-field region in the magnetic map. Detailed information on the distorted dipolar magnetic field topology of CU Vir provided by our study is essential for understanding chemical spot formation, radio emission, and rotational period variation of this star.

Stokes IQUV magnetic Doppler imaging of Ap stars – II. Next generation magnetic Doppler imaging of α2 CVn★

We present updated magnetic field maps of the chemically peculiar B9p star $\alpha^2$ CVn created using a series of time resolved observations obtained using the high resolution spectropolarimeters ESPaDOnS and Narval. We compare these new magnetic field maps with the original magnetic Doppler imaging maps based on spectra recorded with the MuSiCoS spectropolarimeter and taken a decade earlier. These new maps are inferred from line profiles in all four Stokes parameters using the magnetic Doppler imaging code INVERS10. With the addition of new lines exhibiting Stokes $IQUV$ signatures we have a unique insight into how the derived magnetic surface structure may be affected by the atomic lines chosen for inversion. We report new magnetic maps of $\alpha^2$ CVn created using strong iron lines (directly comparable to the published MuSiCoS maps), weak iron lines and chromium lines, all of which yield a magnetic field structure roughly consistent with that obtained previously. We then derive an updated magnetic structure map for $\alpha^2$ CVn based on the complete sample of Fe and Cr lines, which we believe to produce a more representative model of the magnetic topology of $\alpha^2$ CVn. In agreement with the previous mapping, this new updated magnetic map shows a dipolar-like field which has complex sub-structure which cannot be explained by a simple low order multipolar geometry. Our new maps show that regardless of the atomic line or species choice, the reconstructed magnetic field is consistent with that published previously, suggesting that the reconstructed field is a realistic representation of the magnetic field of $\alpha^2$ CVn. $\alpha^2$ CVn is the first Ap star for which multiple, high resolution magnetic maps have been derived, providing important observational evidence for the stability of both the large and small-scale magnetic field.

Doppler images of II Pegasi for 2004–2010

Aims. We study the spot activity of II Peg during the years 2004-2010 to determine long- and short-term changes in the magnetic activity. In a previous study, we detected a persistent active longitude, as well as major changes in the spot configuration occurring on a timescale of shorter than a year. The main objective of this study is to determine whether the same phenomena persist in the star during these six years of spectroscopic monitoring. Methods. The observations were collected with the high-resolution SOFIN spectrograph at the Nordic Optical Telescope. The temperature maps were calculated using a Doppler imaging code based on Tikhonov regularization. Results. We present 12 new temperature maps that show spots distributed mainly over high and intermediate latitudes. In each image, 1-3 main active regions can be identified. The activity level of the star is clearly lower than during our previous study for the years 1994-2002. In contrast to the previous observations, we detect no clear drift of the active regions with respect to the rotation of the star. Conclusions. Having shown a systematic longitudinal drift of the spot-generating mechanism during 1994-2002, the star has clearly switched to a low-activity state for 2004-2010, during which the spot locations appear more random over phase space. It could be that the star is near to a minimum of its activity cycle.

V405 ANDROMEDA REVISITED

We present a multi-epoch time-resolved high-resolution optical spectroscopy study of the short-period (P{sub orb} = 11.2 hr) eclipsing M0V+M5V RS CVn binary V405 Andromeda. By means of indirect imaging techniques, namely Doppler imaging, we study the surface activity features of the M0V component of the system. A modified version of a Doppler imaging code, which takes into account the tidal distortion of the surface of the star, is applied to the multi-epoch data set in order to provide indirect images of the stellar surface. The multi-epoch surface brightness distributions show a low intensity 'belt' of spots at latitudes {+-}40{sup 0} and a noticeable absence of high latitude features or polar spots on the primary star of V405 Andromeda. They also reveal slow evolution of the spot distribution over {approx}4 yr. An entropy landscape procedure is used in order to find the set of binary parameters that lead to the smoothest surface brightness distributions. As a result, we find M{sub 1} = 0.51 {+-} 0.03 M{sub sun}, M{sub 2} = 0.21 {+-} 0.01 M{sub sun}, R{sub 1} = 0.71 {+-} 0.01 R{sub sun}, and an inclination i = 65{sup 0} {+-} 1{sup 0}. The resulting systemic velocity is distinct for differentmore » epochs, raising the possibility of the existence of a third body in the system.« less

THE SURFACE OF V410 TAURI

We present Doppler images of the weak-lined T Tauri star V410 Tau obtained with two different Doppler-imaging codes. The images are consistent and show a cool extended spot, symmetric about the pole, at a temperature approximately 750 K below the average photospheric value. Smaller cool spots are found fairly uniformly distributed at latitudes below the polar cap with temperatures about 450 K below the average photospheric temperature. Resolution on the stellar surface is limited to about 7 ◦ of arc, so structure within these spots is not visible. Also at lower latitudes are hotter features with temperatures up to 1000 K above the photosphere. A trial Doppler image using a TiO molecular feature reproduced the cool polar cap at a temperature about 100 K below the value from the atomic line images. The equatorial features, however, were not properly reproduced since Doppler imaging relies on information in the wings of lines for reconstructing equatorial features, and for V410 Tau these molecular band lines overlap. In 1993, V410 Tau had a large photometric amplitude resulting from the concentration of cool spots on the hemisphere of the star visible at phase 0 ◦ , a phenomenon known as preferred longitude. In contrast, the small photometric amplitude observed currently is due to a strong symmetric polar spot and the uniform distribution in longitude of equatorial cool and warm spots. This redistribution of surface features may be the beginning of a slow “flip-flop” for V410 Tau where spot locations alternate between preferred longitudes. Flare events linked to two of the hotter spots in the Doppler image were observed.

Magnetic Doppler imaging ofα2Canum Venaticorum in all four Stokes parameters

<i>Context. <i/>Strong organized magnetic fields have been studied in the upper main sequence chemically peculiar stars for more than half a century. However, only recently have observational methods and numerical techniques become sufficiently mature to allow us to record and interpret high-resolution four Stokes parameter spectra, leading to the first assumption-free magnetic field models of these stars. <i>Aims. <i/> Here we present a detailed magnetic Doppler imaging analysis of the spectropolarimetric observations of the prototypical magnetic Ap star <i>α<i/><sup>2<sup/> CVn. This is the second star for which the magnetic field topology and horizontal chemical abundance inhomogeneities have been inferred directly from phase-resolved observations of line profiles in all four Stokes parameters, free from the traditional assumption of a low-order multipolar field geometry. <i>Methods. <i/> We interpret the rotational modulation of the circular and linear polarization profiles of the strong and lines in the spectra of <i>α<i/><sup>2<sup/> CVn recorded with the MuSiCoS spectropolarimeter. The surface abundance distributions of the two chemical elements and a full vector map of the stellar magnetic field are reconstructed in a self-consistent inversion using our state-of-the-art magnetic Doppler imaging code Invers10. <i>Results. <i/> We succeeded in reproducing most of the details of the available spectropolarimetric observations of <i>α<i/><sup>2<sup/> CVn with a magnetic map which combines a global dipolar-like field topology with localized spots of higher field intensity. We demonstrate that these small-scale magnetic structures are inevitably required to fit the linear polarization spectra; however, their presence cannot be inferred from the Stokes <i>I<i/> and <i>V<i/> observations alone. We also found high-contrast surface distributions of Fe and Cr, with both elements showing abundance minima in the region of weaker and topologically simpler magnetic field. <i>Conclusions. <i/> Our magnetic Doppler imaging analysis of <i>α<i/><sup>2<sup/> CVn and previous results for 53 Cam support the view that the upper main sequence stars can harbour fairly complex surface magnetic fields which resemble oblique dipoles only at the largest spatial scales. Spectra in all four Stokes parameters are absolutely essential to unveil and meaningfully characterize this field complexity in Ap stars. We therefore suggest that understanding magnetism of stars in other parts of the H-R diagram is similarly incomplete without investigation of their linear polarization spectra.

Magnetic Doppler imaging of the roAp star HD 24712

We present the first magnetic Doppler images of a rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) star. We deduce information about magnetic field geometry and abundance distributions of a number of chemical elements on the surface of the hitherto best studied roAp star, HD 24712, using the magnetic Doppler imaging (MDI) code, INVERS10, which allows us to reconstruct simultaneously and consistently the magnetic field geometry and elemental abundance distributions on a stellar surface. For this purpose we analyse time series spectra obtained in Stokes I and V parameters with the SOFIN polarimeter at the Nordic Optical Telescope and recover surface abundance structures of sixteen different chemical elements, respectively ions, including Mg, Ca, Sc, Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, and Dy. For the rare earth elements (REE) Pr and Nd separate maps were obtained using lines of the first and the second ionization stage. We find and confirm a clear dipolar structure of the surface magnetic field and an unexpected correlation of elemental abundances with respect to this field: one group of elements accumulates solely where the positive magnetic pole is visible, whereas the other group avoids this region and is enhanced where the magnetic equatorial region dominates the visible stellar surface. We also observe relative shifts of abundance enhancement- or depletion regions between the various elements exhibiting otherwise similar behaviour.

Magnetic Doppler imaging of II Peg

AbstractRotational modulation of the intensity and polarization spectra of magnetic stars offers a unique possibility to reconstruct the structure of surface magnetic fields and to investigate their relation to cool starspots. We have developed a new magnetic Doppler imaging code which aims at self-consistent temperature and magnetic mapping of cool active stars. Here we present magnetic Doppler imaging analysis of high-resolution circular polarization observations of the active star II Peg. We demonstrate that a self-consistent approach to magnetic inversion unveils stronger magnetic fields than found previously through disjoint analyses of polarization and intensity observations of active stars.

The first magnetic maps of a pre-main-sequence binary star system – HD 155555

Abstract We present the first maps of the surface magnetic fields of a pre-main-sequence binary system. Spectropolarimetric observations of the young, 18 Myr, HD 155555 (V824 Ara, G5IV+K0IV) system were obtained at the Anglo-Australian Telescope in 2004 and 2007. Both data sets are analysed using a new binary Zeeman–Doppler imaging (ZDI) code. This allows us to simultaneously model the contribution of each component to the observed circularly polarized spectra. Stellar brightness maps are also produced for HD 155555 and compared to previous Doppler images. Our radial magnetic maps reveal a complex surface magnetic topology with mixed polarities at all latitudes. We find rings of azimuthal field on both stars, most of which are found to be non-axisymmetric with the stellar rotational axis. We also examine the field strength and the relative fraction of magnetic energy stored in the radial and azimuthal field components at both epochs. A marked weakening of the field strength of the secondary star is observed between the 2004 and 2007 epochs. This is accompanied by an apparent shift in the location of magnetic energy from the azimuthal to radial field. We suggest that this could be indicative of a magnetic activity cycle. We use the radial magnetic maps to extrapolate the coronal field (by assuming a potential field) for each star individually – at present ignoring any possible interaction. The secondary star is found to exhibit an extreme tilt (≈75°) of its large-scale magnetic field to that of its rotation axis for both epochs. The field complexity that is apparent in the surface maps persists out to a significant fraction of the binary separation. Any interaction between the fields of the two stars is therefore likely to be complex also. Modelling this would require a full binary field extrapolation.