Solar polarimetry - Observations and theories

Some recent observations of polarization in solar spectral lines are reviewed, emphasizing their theoretical interpretation. Classical scattering theory is used to study the diagnostic problems which arise in the zero, weak, and strong field regimes. The interpretation of photospheric, prominence, coronal, and sunspot magnetic fields is addressed. Studies of the Hanle effect, measurement of the forbidden coronal emission line polarization, and analysis of the complete wavelength profiles of the four Stokes parameters of a Zeeman split line are emphasized.