Bibcode
Lites, B. W.; Casini, R.; Manso-Sainz, R.; Jurčák, J.; Ichimoto, K.; Ishikawa, R.; Okamoto, T. J.; Tsuneta, S.; Bellot Rubio, L.
Bibliographical reference
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 713, Issue 1, pp. 450-457 (2010).
Advertised on:
4
2010
Journal
Citations
15
Refereed citations
11
Description
Spectro-polarimetric observations with the Solar Optical Telescope
onboard Hinode reveal the emission spectrum of the Fe I 630 nm lines at
the solar limb. The emission shell extends for less than 1'' thereby
making it extremely difficult to detect from ground-based observatories
viewing the limb through the Earth's atmosphere. The linear polarization
signal is clearly due to scattering and it is predominantly oriented in
the radial direction. Using a comprehensive atomic model of iron, we are
able to interpret qualitatively the observed signals, including the
radial orientation of the linear polarization. The Hanle effect causes
the linear polarization of the Fe I 630 nm lines to be sensitive to
magnetic fields between ~0.1 G and ~40 G, and also to be sensitive to
the field's topology for stronger fields. The overall degree of observed
polarization can be reproduced by randomly oriented horizontal magnetic
fields of strength ≈2 G. The discovery of their scattering
polarization signals thus opens a new diagnostic opportunity for these
lines.