Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Dec 1994
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994a%26a...292..693g&link_type=abstract
Astronomy and Astrophysics (ISSN 0004-6361), vol. 292, no. 2, p. 693-698
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
12
Astronomical Models, Circular Polarization, Hydroxyl Radicals, Interstellar Magnetic Fields, Interstellar Masers, Amplification, Population Inversion, Radio Sources (Astronomy), Saturation
Scientific paper
An analysis is given of the evolution of the Stokes parameters for the amplification of polarized maser radiation in the presence of a magnetic field, for the case relevant to OH, in which the Zeeman splitting greatly exceeds the maser linewidth. Amplification in a sigma-transition develops most strongly along the direction of the magnetic field and the beam angle which contains half the flux is shown to be approximately 16 deg for unsaturated amplification. This phenomenon is termed 'magnetic beaming'. The propagation of rays at high angles to the magnetic field, over longer paths lengths, is strongly suppressed through effects of saturation. Magnetic beaming and saturation together give rise to greater than 99.9% circular polarization in the maser radiation. A much more extensive account of the OH maser model, including details of the formation of sigma-inversions, will be given elsewhere.
Field David
Gray Malcolm D.
No associations
LandOfFree
Magnetic beaming and the origin of 100% circular polarization in OH masers does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Magnetic beaming and the origin of 100% circular polarization in OH masers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Magnetic beaming and the origin of 100% circular polarization in OH masers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1318065