Physics
Scientific paper
Aug 1986
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1986soph..106..269m&link_type=abstract
Solar Physics (ISSN 0038-0938), vol. 106, Aug. 1986, p. 269-286.
Physics
33
Broadband, Circular Polarization, Line Spectra, Solar Magnetic Field, Sunspots, Magnetic Field Configurations, Spatial Distribution, Stellar Models, Stellar Spectrophotometry, Zeeman Effect
Scientific paper
The broadband circular polarization of sunspots is discussed on the basis of observations made in the Okayama Astrophysical Observatory. The observation with the spectrograph proves that it is the integrated polarization of spectral lines in the observed spectral range. A velocity gradient in the line-of-sight can produce this integrated polarization due to the differential saturation between Zeeman components of magnetically sensitive lines. The observed degree of polarization and its spatial distribution in sunspots is explained by introducing a differentially twisted magnetic field in addition to the velocity gradient. The differential twist has the azimuth rotation of the magnetic field along the line-of-sight and generates the circular polarization from the linear polarization due to the magnetooptical effect. The required azimuth rotation is reasonable and amounts at most to 30 deg. The required velocity gradient is compatible with the line asymmetry and its spatial distribution observed in sunspots. The observed polarity rule leads to the conclusion that the sunspot magnetic field has the differential twist with the right-handed azimuth rotation relative to the direction of the main magnetic field, without regard to the magnetic polarity and to the solar cycle. The twist itself is left-handed under the photosphere, when the sunspot is assumed to be a unwinding emerging magnetic field.
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