M. Bianda

Generalization of the Last Scattering Approximation for the Second Solar Spectrum Modeling: The Ca I 4227 Å Line as a Case Study

To model the second solar spectrum (the linearly polarized spectrum of the Sun that is due to coherent scattering processes), one needs to solve the polarized radiative transfer (RT) equation. For strong resonance lines, partial frequency redistribution (PRD) effects must be accounted for, which make the problem computationally demanding. The “last scattering approximation” (LSA) is a concept that has been introduced to make this highly complex problem more tractable. An earlier application of a simple LSA version could successfully model the wings of the strong Cai 4227 A resonance line in Stokes Q/I (fractional linear polarization), but completely failed to reproduce the observed Q/I peak in the line core. Since the magnetic field signatures from the Hanle effect only occur in the line core, we need to generalize the existing LSA approach if it is to be useful for the diagnostics of chromospheric and turbulent magnetic fields. In this paper, we explore three different approximation levels for LSA and compare each of them with the benchmark represented by the solution of the full polarized RT, including PRD effects. The simplest approximation level is LSA-1, which uses the observed center-to-limb variation of the intensity profile to obtain the anisotropy of the radiation field at the surface, without solving any transfer equation. In contrast, the next two approximation levels use the solution of the unpolarized transfer equation to derive the anisotropy of the incident radiation field and use it as an input. In the case of LSA-2, the anisotropy at level τλ = μ, the atmospheric level from which an observed photon is most likely to originate, is used. LSA-3, on the other hand, makes use of the full depth dependence of the radiation anisotropy. The Q/I formula for LSA-3 is obtained by keeping the first term in a series expansion of the Q-source function in powers of the mean number of scattering events. Computationally, LSA-1 is 21 times faster than LSA-2, which is 5 times faster than the more general LSA-3, which itself is 8 times faster than the polarized RT approach. A comparison of the calculated Q/I spectra with the RT benchmark shows excellent agreement for LSA-3, including good modeling of the Q/I core region with its PRD effects. In contrast, both LSA-1 and LSA-2 fail to model the core region. The RT and LSA-3 approaches are then applied to model the recently observed Q/I profile of the Cai 4227 A line in quiet regions of the Sun. Apart from a global scale factor both give a very good fit to the Q/I spectra for all the wavelengths, including the core peak and blend line depolarizations. We conclude that LSA-3 is an excellent substitute for the full polarized RT and can be used to interpret the second solar spectrum, including the Hanle effect with PRD. It also allows the techniques developed for unpolarized three-dimensional RT to be applied to the modeling of the second solar spectrum.

Solar turbulent magnetic fields: surprisingly homogeneous distribution during the solar minimum

Context. Small-scale, weak magnetic fields are ubiquitous in the quiet solar atmosphere. Yet their properties and temporal and spatial variations are not well known. Aims. We have initiated a synoptic program, carried out at the Istituto Ricerche Solari Locarno (IRSOL), to investigate both turbulent, mixed-polarity magnetic fields and nearly horizontal, directed fields and their variation with the solar cycle. Methods. Through spectropolarimetric observations we monitor linear and circular polarization at the solar limb (5 �� on the disk) at five positional angles (N, NW, S, SW, W) with the sensitivity of ∼10 −5 . In addition, we analyzed measurements taken at different limb distances. We measure signatures in the 5141 A region including two C2 triplets and three Fe i lines. Linear polarization in these lines arises from scattering and can be modified via the Hanle effect in the presence of turbulent magnetic fields. Through the application of the differential Hanle effect to the C2 R-triplet line ratios and the use of a simplified line formation model, we are able to infer a strength of turbulent magnetic fields while using the P-triplet to further restrict it. A Zeeman analysis of Fe i Stokes V/I is used to evaluate flux densities of horizontally directed fields. Results. We conclude that weak fields were evenly distributed over the Sun during this solar minimum. The turbulent field strength was at least 4.7 ± 0.2 G, and it did not vary during the last two years. This result was complemented with earlier, mainly unpublished measurements in the same region, which extend our set to nearly one decade. A statistical analysis of these all data suggests that there could be a very small variation of the turbulent field strength (3σ-limit) since the solar maximum in 2000. The Zeeman analysis of Fe i Stokes V/I reveals weak horizontal flux densities of 3–8 G. Conclusions. Our results demonstrate the potential of long-term observations of small-scale magnetic fields, which may vary with the solar cycle in both mean strength and spatial distribution. This provides important constraints on the energy budget of the solar cycle. Extending this synoptic program to many spectral lines would provide a sample of heights in the solar atmosphere.

NLTE modeling of Stokes vector center-to-limb variations in the CN violet system

Context. The solar surface magnetic field is connected with and even controls most of the solar activity phenomena. Zeeman e ect diagnostics allow for measuring only a small fraction of the fractal-like structured magnetic field. The remaining hidden magnetic fields can only be accessed with the Hanle e ect. Aims. Molecular lines are very convenient for applying the Hanle e ect diagnostics thanks to the broad range of magnetic sensitivities in a narrow spectral region. With the UV version of the Zurich Imaging Polarimeter ZIMPOL II installed at the 45 cm telescope of the Istituto Ricerche Solari Locarno (IRSOL), we simultaneously observed intensity and linear polarization center-to-limb variations in two spectral regions containing the (0,0) and (1,1) bandheads of the CN B 2 X 2 system. Here we present an analysis of these observations. Methods. We have implemented coherent scattering in molecular lines into a NLTE radiative transfer code. A two-step approach was used. First, we separately solved the statistical equilibrium equations and compute opacities and intensity while neglecting polarization. Then we used these quantities as input for calculating scattering polarization and the Hanle e ect. Results. We have found that it is impossible to fit the intensity and polarization simultaneously at di erent limb angles in the framework of standard 1D modeling. The atmosphere models that provide correct intensity center-to-limb variations fail to fit linear polarization center-to-limb variations due to lacking radiation field anisotropy. We had to increase the anisotropy by means of a specially introduced free parameter. This allows us to successfully interpret our observations. We discuss possible reasons for underestimating the anisotropy in the 1D modeling.

J-state interference signatures in the second solar spectrum - Modeling the Cr i triplet at 5204–5208 Å

The scattering polarization in the solar spectrum is traditionally modeled with each spectral line treated separately, but this is generally inadequate for multiplets where J-state interference plays a significant role. Through simultaneous observations of all the 3 lines of a Cr i triplet, combined with realistic radiative transfer modeling of the data, we show that it is necessary to include J-state interference consistently when modeling lines with partially interacting fine structure components. Polarized line formation theory that includes J-state interference effects together with partial frequency redistribution for a two-term atom is used to model the observations. Collisional frequency redistribution is also accounted for. We show that the resonance polarization in the Cr i triplet is strongly affected by the partial frequency redistribution effects in the line core and near wing peaks. The Cr i triplet is quite sensitive to the temperature structure of the photospheric layers. Our complete frequency redistribution calculations in semi-empirical models of the solar atmosphere cannot reproduce the observed near wing polarization or the cross-over of the Stokes Q/I line polarization about the continuum polarization level that is due to the J-state interference. When however partial frequency redistribution is included, a good fit to these features can be achieved. Further, to obtain a good fit to the far wings, a small temperature enhancement of the FALF model in the photospheric layers is necessary.

CENTER-TO-LIMB OBSERVATIONS AND MODELING OF THE Ca I 4227 Å LINE

The observed center-to-limb variation (CLV) of the scattering polarization in different lines of the Second Solar Spectrum can be used to constrain the height variation of various atmospheric parameters, in particular the magnetic fields via the Hanle effect. Here we attempt to model non-magnetic CLV observations of the

ZIMPOL-3: a powerful solar polarimeter

Q/I

Spatial mapping of the Hanle and Zeeman effects on the Sun

profiles of the Ca I 4227 A line recorded with the ZIMPOL-3 at IRSOL. For modeling, we use the polarized radiative transfer with partial frequency redistribution with a number of realistic 1-D model atmospheres. We find that all the standard FAL model atmospheres, used by us, fail to simultaneously fit the observed (

Statistical Analysis of the very Quiet Sun Magnetism

I

ORIGIN OF SPATIAL VARIATIONS OF SCATTERING POLARIZATION IN THE WINGS OF THE Ca I 4227 A line

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Calibration of the 6302/6301 Stokes V line ratio in terms of the 5250/5247 ratio

Q/I