The linear polarization of hydrogen H-beta radiation and the joint diagnostic of magnetic field vector and electron density in quiescent prominences. I - The magnetic field. II - The electron density
Abstract
Quasi-simultaneous measurements of the linear polarization of the helium D3 and hydrogen Hβ lines have been achieved at the Pic-du-Midi coronagraph-polarimeter for fourteen quiescent prominences. Both lines are linearly polarized by resonant scattering of the anisotropic photospheric and chromospheric radiation field, and depolarized by the local magnetic field (i.e. the Hanle effect). The measurements show that another depolarizing mechanism has to be taken into account for the Hβ line: this is confirmed by the theory which predicts that Hβ is also depolarized by collisions with the electrons and protons of the medium. Therefore polarization measurements in those two lines provide a method for determining both the magnetic field B and the electron density Ne in prominences.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- February 1986
- Bibcode:
- 1986A&A...156...79B
- Keywords:
-
- H Beta Line;
- Solar Magnetic Field;
- Solar Prominences;
- Coronagraphs;
- Electron Flux Density;
- Linear Polarization;
- Solar Physics