atomic processes

Spatial mapping of the Hanle and Zeeman effects on the Sun

Spatial mapping of the Hanle and Zeeman effects on the Sun has been done for the first time, through Stokes vector imaging with a narrow- band (0.2 ̊A) universal filter. It is shown how the polarization signatures of the Hanle and Zeeman effects can …

Influence of magnetic fields on the coherence effects in the Na I D$_1$ and D$_2$ lines

To clarify the physical nature of the enigmatic scattering polarization in the Na i D$_1$ and D$_2$ line cores we have explored their behavior with full Stokes vector polarimetry in regions with varying degree of magnetic activity near the solar …

Anomalous polarization effects due to coherent scattering on the Sun

The richly structured linearly polarized spectrum that is produced by coherent scattering in the Sun's atmosphere contains a number of spectral features for which no explanation has been found within the standard scattering theory. According to this …

Center-to-limb variation of the enigmatic NaI D_1 and D_2 polarization profiles

The remarkable polarization structure of the Na I D_1 and D_2 lines that is due to coherent scattering has remained an enigma, since it has not yet been possible to find an explanation that is consistent with both current understanding of quantum …

Differential Hanle effect and the spatial variation of turbulent magnetic fields on the Sun

While diagnostic techniques based on the ordinary Zeeman effect (e.g. magnetograms) are almost ``blind'' to a turbulent magnetic field with mixed magnetic polarities within the spatial resolution element, the Hanle effect is sensitive to this domain …

The second solar spectrum. A new window for diagnostics of the Sun.

The Sun's radiation becomes linearly polarized by coherent scattering processes in the solar atmosphere. With a novel polarimetry system that achieves a precision of 1e-5 in the degree of polarization, the previously largely unexplored territory of …