An electrograph for measurement of macroscopic electric fields in prominences and flares

Details An electrograph for measurement of macroscopic electric fields in prominences and flares An electrograph for measurement of macroscopic electric fields in prominences and flares

Sep 1991

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1991soph..135..179m&link_type=abstract

Solar Physics (ISSN 0038-0938), vol. 135, Sept. 1991, p. 179-191.

Physics

8

Electric Field Strength, Solar Atmosphere, Solar Flares, Solar Prominences, Solar Wind, Spectral Methods, Electrical Measurement, Emission Spectra, Line Spectra, Paschen Series, Solar Magnetic Field, Zeeman Effect

Scientific paper

An 'electrograph' instrument designed for measurement of macroscopic electric fields in solar plasmas is described, using the polarization dependence of line width in Stark-broadened hydrogen Paschen emission lines. Observations of quiescent prominences and limb chromosphere with the electrograph at the NSO/Sac Peak Evans Coronal Facility provide upper limits of 5-10 V/cm for transverse macroscopic electric fields in these structures, averaged over an area of about 5 x 7 arcsec. Random thermal motions of hydrogen ions across magnetic field lines generate a quasi-static electric field, which should be distinguishable from pressure broadening in the intensely magnetized chromosphere over a sunspot, given an electrograph sensitivity a factor 2-3 better than that achieved here. Future electrograph measurements of limb flares, post-flare loops, and eruptive prominences, even at 5-V/cm sensitivity, could provide a useful new test of reconnection and discharge effects in such dynamic structures.

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