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In the present paper we consider the full nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) radiation transfer problem. This formalism allows us to account for deviation from equilibrium distribution of both the radiation field and the massive particles. In the present study, two-level atoms with broadened upper level represent the massive particles. In the absence of velocity-changing collisions, we demonstrate the analytic equivalence of the full non-LTE source function with the corresponding standard non-LTE partial frequency redistribution (PFR) model. We present an iterative method based on operator splitting techniques that can be used to numerically solve the problem at hand. We benchmark it against the standard non-LTE transfer problem for a two-level atom with PFR. We illustrate the deviation of the velocity distribution function of excited atoms from the equilibrium distribution. We also discuss the dependence of the emission profile and the velocity distribution function on elastic collisions and velocity-changing collisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Magnetic field vector measurements are always ambiguous, that is, two or more field vectors are solutions of the observed polarisation. Aims. The aim of the present paper is to solve the ambiguity by comparing the ambiguous field vectors obtained in the same prominence observed on two consecutive days. The effect of the solar rotation is to modify the scattering angle of the prominence radiation, which modifies the symmetry of the ambiguous solutions. This method, which is a kind of tomography, was successfully applied in the past to the average magnetic field vector of 20 prominences observed at the Pic du Midi. The aim of the present paper is to apply this method to a prominence observed with spatial resolution at the THÉMIS telescope (European site at Izaña, Tenerife Island). Methods. The magnetic field vector is measured by interpretation of the Hanle effect observed in the He I D3 5875.6 Å line, within the horizontal field vector hypothesis for simplicity. The ambiguity is first solved by comparing the two pairs of solutions obtained for a "big pixel" determined by averaging the observed Stokes parameters in a large region at the prominence centre. Each pixel is then disambiguated by selecting the closest solution in a propagation from the prominence centre to the prominence boundary. Results. The results previously obtained on averaged prominences are all recovered. The polarity is found to be inverse with a small angle of about −21° between the magnetic field vector and the long axis of the filament. The magnetic field strength of about 6 G is found to slightly increase with height, as previously observed. The new result is the observed decrease with height, of the absolute value of the angle between the magnetic field vector and the long axis of the filament. Conclusions. This result is in excellent agreement with prominence magnetohydrodynamical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the impact approximation, collisional line broadening parameters and depolarizing and polarization transfer (population, orientation, alignment transfer) rates are complementary: both include the effect of collisional transitions between the Zeeman sublevels of a given level, or between fine or hyperfine structure levels of a given term. However, there are several differences: in line broadening, the two levels connected by the radiative transition contribute to the broadening, and there is also an interference term between these two levels, whereas only one level or two close levels are concerned in the depolarization. Another difference lies in the fact that purely elastic collisions contribute also to the line broadening, whereas they do not contribute to the depolarization. The nature of these two kinds of coefficients are recalled. Then the possibility to find some relationships or systematic trends concerning depolarization versus collisional broadening is considered. This is to answer some current questions which come from the polarization community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present multiline observations taken with the French-Italian telescope THEMIS operated by CNRS and CNR on the island of Tenerife. Several spectral lines are observed simultaneously to study magnetic phenomena at different altitudes of line formation, comprising the Fe i 5250.65 Å, Cr i 5247.57 Å, Fe i 5250.22 Å, Fe i 6301.51 Å, Fe i 6302.50 Å, and Fe i 6151.62 Å lines. The observations were analyzed using Milne-Eddington inversion algorithms modified to allow for non-normal Zeeman triplet lines, and to take additionally into account the vertical velocity gradient. We show the self-consistency of the solutions found from the inversion and those obtained from the quantitative bisector method. Results from the different lines observed simultaneously yield the height dependence of the magnetic field strength. From modeling the line formation heights applied on selected points with a longitudinal magnetic field between 200 and 1000 G, we determine the gradient of the vertical component (absolute value) of the magnetic field to be -1.18 G/km [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presentation is intended to describe results obtained with the UNNOFIT inversion of spectropolarimetric data. Quiet regions of the Sun are studied on the one hand, where the structure of the magnetic field remains unresolved and is approached via a magnetic filling factor. It is got that the field is structured in thin flux tubes connected by loops at any altitude in the solar atmosphere. The fluxtube diameter size is evaluated. On the other hand, active regions are studied, in particular sunspots where the magnetic field horizontal gradient is found one order of magnitude weaker than the vertical gradient, as in other observations reported in the literature. This is a difficulty to ensure div […] = 0. Before entering the results, the particular features of the UNNOFIT inversion are recalled, which concern essentially the magnetic filling factor modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The context is the magnetic field measurement in external solar or stellar layers by interpreting line polarization measurements and the Hanle effect. Aims. The aim is to model the Hanle effect depolarization by integrating upon a star on the one hand, and by integrating along a line-of-sight through the solar corona on the other hand. Methods. The formalism of the atomic density matrix is recalled. Particular attention was devoted to the four axis rotations necessary to transform the magnetic field reference frame into that of the line-of-sight. Results. In the stellar case, the discrepancy between the results by López Ariste et al. (2011, A&A, 527, A120) and the symmetry considerations by Ignace etal. (2011, A&A, 530, A82) is resolved. In the solar case, the computations of the hydrogen Lyα polarization by Derouich et al. (2010, A&A, 511, A7) are revisited, owing to symmetry considerations. Conclusions. In the stellar case, we confirm that the effect integrated on a star leads to a non-vanishing magnetic depolarization due to the high non-linearity of the Hanle effect. In the solar case, we find that the Hanle sensitivity of hydrogen Lyβ and Lyγ could be better adapted to the measurement of the coronal background magnetic field. They form a pair of lines of different and complementary sensitivity, which makes it possible to determine the full vector. Lyα would be instead adapted to the coronal loop magnetic field measurement, because this field is stronger and suited to the Lyα Hanle sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are presenting a semi-classical theory of the impact polarization due to a quadrupolar electric excitation, which is the case of this forbidden line. In addition, this line is also radiatively forbidden being a triplet-singlet transition. This last feature is overcome by scaling the semi-classical result to a full quantum calculation at a single energy value. The cross-section and impact polarization are thus obtained as a function of energy, in agreement with the quantum calculations that exist only for the cross-section. The behavior of the impact polarization is found to be quite different than that of the usual dipolar electric interaction. Let us denote as radial the polarization parallel to the incident beam or magnetic field, and as tangential the perpendicular polarization. In the case of the dipolar electric interaction (permitted lines), the polarization is radial at low energy, and tangential at high energy, and it vanishes at energy about twelve times the threshold energy. In the case of the quadrupolar electric interaction, we observe quite different behavior, with the polarization vanishing point much closer to the threshold energy. This leads us to reanalyze the auroral red line polarization observation by Lilensten et al. (2008). From polarization observations made at Svalbard, they conclude to a rather strong tangential polarization observed during a 4-h recording including two auroral events. The existence of tangential polarization is questioned by our new theory, which leads to reconsidering the contribution of scattered parasitic light from a neighboring city that was mentioned but discarded by the authors. Finally, we conclude that the line is only weakly radially polarized by electron impact, and only during the auroral events. The weak polarization level leads to taking the competing depolarization by collisions with the neighboring O atoms into account, and by the competing isotropical (thus depolarizing) processes for populating the line upper level: the dissociative recombination of O+2 colliding with thermal electrons, and above all the reaction N(2D)+O2. The final diagnostic could be a density determination by depolarization, but it may be rather complicated because it involves several species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the JOP178 campaign in August 2006, we observed the disappearance of our target, a large quiescent filament located at S25°, after an observation time of three days (24 August to 26 August). Multi-wavelength instruments were operating: THEMIS/MTR (“MulTi-Raies”) vector magnetograph, TRACE (“Transition Region and Coronal Explorer”) at 171 Å and 1600 Å and Hida Domeless Solar telescope. Counter-streaming flows (+/−10 km s−1) in the filament were detected more than 24 hours before its eruption. A slow rise of the global structure started during this time period with a velocity estimated to be of the order of 1 km s−1. During the hour before the eruption (26 August around 09:00 UT) the velocity reached 5 km s−1. The filament eruption is suspected to be responsible for a slow CME observed by LASCO around 21:00 UT on 26 August. No brightening in Hα or in coronal lines, no new emerging polarities in the filament channel, even with the high polarimetry sensitivity of THEMIS, were detected. We measured a relatively large decrease of the photospheric magnetic field strength of the network (from 400 G to 100 G), whose downward magnetic tension provides stability to the underlying stressed filament magnetic fields. According to some MHD models based on turbulent photospheric diffusion, this gentle decrease of magnetic strength (the tension) could act as the destabilizing mechanism which first leads to the slow filament rise and its fast eruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The energy released during solar flares is believed to be stored in non-potential magnetic fields associated with electric currents flowing in the corona. While no measurements of coronal electric currents are presently available, maps of photospheric electric currents can now be derived from SDO/HMI observations. Photospheric electric currents have been shown to be the tracers of the coronal electric currents. Particle acceleration can result from electric fields associated with coronal electric currents. We revisit here some aspects of the relationship between particle acceleration in solar flares and electric currents in the active region. Aims. We study the relation between the energetic electron interaction sites in the solar atmosphere, and the magnitudes and changes of vertical electric current densities measured at the photospheric level, during the X2.2 flare on February 15, 2011, in AR NOAA 11158. Methods. X-ray images from the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) are overlaid on magnetic field and electric current density maps calculated from the spectropolarimetric measurements of the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) on the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) using the UNNOFIT inversion and Metcalf disambiguation codes. X-ray images are also compared with extreme ultraviolet (EUV) images from the SDO Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) to complement the flare analysis. Results. Part of the elongated X-ray emissions from both thermal and non-thermal electrons overlay the elongated narrow current ribbons observed at the photospheric level. A new X-ray source at 50-100 keV (produced by non-thermal electrons) is observed in the course of the flare and is cospatial with a region in which new vertical photospheric currents appeared during the same period (an increase of 15%). These observational results are discussed in the context of the scenarios in which magnetic reconnection (and subsequent plasma heating and particle acceleration) occurs at current-carrying layers in the corona. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this paper is to build and compare vector magnetic maps obtained by two spectral polarimeters, i.e. THEMIS/MTR and Hinode SOT/SP, using two inversion codes (UNNOFIT and MELANIE) based on the Milne – Eddington solar atmosphere model. To this end, we used observations of a facular region within active region NOAA 10996 on 23 May 2008, and found consistent results concerning the field strength, azimuth and inclination distributions. Because SOT/SP is free from the seeing effect and has better spatial resolution, we were able to resolve small magnetic polarities with sizes of 1″ to 2″, and we could detect strong horizontal magnetic fields, which converge or diverge in negative or positive facular polarities. These findings support models which suggest the existence of small vertical flux tube bundles in faculae. A new method is proposed to get the relative formation heights of the multi-lines observed by MTR assuming the validity of a flux tube model for the faculae. We found that the Fe i 6302.5 Å line forms at a greater atmospheric height than the Fe i 5250.2 Å line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper we evaluate the possibility of detecting, for the first time, the surface magnetic field of Jupiter (∼1 bar level) by observing the change of linear polarization induced by the Hanle effect on the H Lyman-alpha (Lyα) emission line of the planet. We find that, indeed, the Hanle effect, which results from the interaction between a local magnetic field and the atomic polarization induced by absorption of anisotropic radiation, is sensitive to relatively weak values of the strength of the magnetic fields expected on planets. First, we show that for the Lyα emission backscattered by atomic H in the presence of a magnetic field, the Hanle effect is polarizing. This new result is in total contrast to the depolarizing effect predicted and observed for emission lines scattered at right angles in solar prominences. Additionally, to estimate the polarization rate for the case of Jupiter, we have considered three magnetic field models: a dipole field for reference, an based model [Connerney, J.E.P., 1981. The magnetic field of Jupiter—A generalized inverse approach. J. Geophys. Res. 86, 7679–7693], and finally, an based model [Khurana, K.K., 1997. Euler potential models of Jupiter''s magnetospheric field. J. Geophys. Res. 102, 11295–11306]. In all models, we show that for the jovian backscattered Lyα line, the Hanle effect does enhance the Lyα linear polarization; the polarization rate may exceed 2% at specific regions of the jovian disc, making detection possible either remotely or from an orbiter around Jupiter. In general, depending on the instrumental sensitivity and the observing strategy used, we show that accurate mapping of the linear polarization rate at the planetary surface (thermosphere) or off-disc (corona) may provide a rather accurate estimate of the jovian total magnetic field strength on large area scales. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Context. The standard model for eruptive flares has been extended to three dimensions (3D) in the past few years. This model predicts typical J-shaped photospheric footprints of the coronal current layer, forming at similar locations as the quasi-separatrix layers (QSLs). Such a morphology is also found for flare ribbons observed in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) band, and in nonlinear force-free field (NLFFF) magnetic field extrapolations and models. Aims. We study the evolution of the photospheric traces of the current density and flare ribbons, both obtained with the Solar Dynamics Observatory instruments. We aim to compare their morphology and their time evolution, before and during the flare, with the topological features found in a NLFFF model. Methods. We investigated the photospheric current evolution during the 06 September 2011 X-class flare (SOL2011-09-06T22:20) occurring in NOAA AR 11283 from observational data of the magnetic field obtained with the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory. We compared this evolution with that of the flare ribbons observed in the EUV filters of the Atmospheric Imager Assembly. We also compared the observed electric current density and the flare ribbon morphology with that of the QSLs computed from the flux rope insertion method-NLFFF model. Results. The NLFFF model shows the presence of a fan-spine configuration of overlying field lines, due to the presence of a parasitic polarity, embedding an elongated flux rope that appears in the observations as two parts of a filament. The QSL signatures of the fan configuration appear as a circular flare ribbon that encircles the J-shaped ribbons related to the filament ejection. The QSLs, evolved via a magnetofrictional method, also show similar morphology and evolution as both the current ribbons and the EUV flare ribbons obtained several times during the flare. Conclusions. For the first time, we propose a combined analysis of the photospheric traces of an eruptive flare, in a complex topology, with direct measurements of electric currents and QSLs from observational data and a magnetic field model. The results, obtained by two different and independent approaches 1) confirm previous results of current increase during the impulsive phase of the flare and 2) show how NLFFF models can capture the essential physical signatures of flares even in a complex magnetic field topology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. In the case of unresolved solar structures or stray light contamination, inversion techniques using four Stokes parameters of Zeeman profiles cannot disentangle the combined contributions of magnetic and nonmagnetic areas to the observed Stokes I. Aims. In the framework of a two-component model atmosphere with filling factor f , we propose an inversion method restricting input data to Q , U, and V profiles, thus overcoming ambiguities from stray light and spatial mixing. Methods. The V-moments inversion (VMI) method uses shifts S V2 derived from moments of V-profiles and integrals of Q 2 , U 2 , and V 2 to determine the strength B and inclination ψ of a magnetic field vector through least-squares polynomial fits and with very few iterations. Moment calculations are optimized to reduce data noise effects. To specify the model atmosphere of the magnetic component, an additional parameter δ, deduced from the shape of V-profiles, is used to interpolate between expansions corresponding to two basic models. Results. We perform inversions of HINODE SOT/SP data for inclination ranges 0 < ψ < 60◦ and 120 < ψ < 180◦ for the 630.2 nm Fe i line. A damping coefficient is fitted to take instrumental line broadening into account. We estimate errors from data noise. Magnetic field strengths and inclinations deduced from VMI inversion are compared with results from the inversion codes UNNOFIT and MERLIN. Conclusions. The VMI inversion method is insensitive to the dependence of Stokes I profiles on the thermodynamic structure in nonmagnetic areas. In the range of B f products larger than 200 G, mean field strengths exceed 1000 G and there is not a very significant departure from the UNNOFIT results because of differences between magnetic and nonmagnetic model atmospheres. Further improvements might include additional parameters deduced from the shape of Stokes V profiles and from large sets of 3D-MHD simulations, especially for unresolved magnetic flux tubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present for the first time the evolution of the photospheric electric currents during an eruptive X-class flare, accurately predicted by the standard three-dimensional (3D) flare model. We analyze this evolution for the 2011 February 15 flare using Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager/Solar Dynamics Observatory magnetic observations and find that localized currents in J-shaped ribbons increase to double their pre-flare intensity. Our 3D flare model, developed with the OHM code, suggests that these current ribbons, which develop at the location of extreme ultraviolet brightenings seen with Atmospheric Imaging Assembly imagery, are driven by the collapse of the flare's coronal current layer. These findings of increased currents restricted in localized ribbons are consistent with the overall free energy decrease during a flare, and the shapes of these ribbons also give an indication of how twisted the erupting flux rope is. Finally, this study further enhances the close correspondence obtained between the theoretical predictions of the standard 3D model and flare observations, indicating that the main key physical elements are incorporated in the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new inversion method derived from central moments of Zeeman line profiles (ICM), is used to determine magnetic field vectors (Mein et al. 2011). Two quantities A1 and A2 combining moments of profiles I ± S (S = Q, U, V) are nearly linear functions of the longitudinal and transverse components and lead to the field components through very fast iterations. Optimized exponents reduce noise effects. The ICM inversion does not require Milne Eddington approximation and can be used in a wide range of solar models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetic field plays a pivotal role in many fields of Astrophysics. This is especially true for the physics of the solar atmosphere. Measuring the magnetic field in the upper solar atmosphere is crucial to understand the nature of the underlying physical processes that drive the violent dynamics of the solar corona-that can also affect life on Earth. SolmeX, a fully equipped solar space observatory for remote-sensing observations, will provide the first comprehensive measurements of the strength and direction of the magnetic field in the upper solar atmosphere. The mission consists of two spacecraft, one carrying the instruments, and another one in formation flight at a distance of about 200 m carrying the occulter to provide an artificial total solar eclipse. This will ensure high-quality coronagraphic observations above the solar limb. SolmeX integrates two spectro-polarimetric coronagraphs for off-limb observations, one in the EUV and one in the IR, and three instruments for observations on the disk. The latter comprises one imaging polarimeter in the EUV for coronal studies, a spectro-polarimeter in the EUV to investigate the low corona, and an imaging spectro-polarimeter in the UV for chromospheric studies. SOHO and other existing missions have investigated the emission of the upper atmosphere in detail (not considering polarization), and as this will be the case also for missions planned for the near future. Therefore it is timely that SolmeX provides the final piece of the observational quest by measuring the magnetic field in the upper atmosphere through polarimetric observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the topology of the 3D magnetic field in a filament channel to address the following questions: Is a filament always formed in a single flux tube? How does the photospheric magnetic field lead to filament interruptions and to feet formation? What is the relation between feet-related field lines and the parasitic polarities? What can topological analyses teach us about EUV filament channels? To do so, we consider a filament observed on 6 October 2004 with THEMIS/MTR, in Hα with the full line profile simultaneously and cospatially with its photospheric vector magnetic field. The coronal magnetic field was calculated from a “linear magnetohydrostatic” extrapolation of a composite THEMIS-MDI magnetogram. Its free parameters were adjusted to get the best match possible between the distribution of modeled plasma-supporting dips and the Hα filament morphology. The model results in moderate plasma β≤1 at low altitudes in the filament, in conjunction with non-negligible departures from force-freeness measured by various metrics. The filament here is formed by a split flux tube. One part of the flux tube is rooted in the photosphere aside an observed interruption in the filament. This splitted topology is due to strong network polarities on the edge of the filament channel, not to flux concentrations closer to the filament. We focus our study to the northwest portion of the filament. The related flux tube is highly fragmented at low altitudes. This fragmentation is due to small flux concentrations of two types. First, some locally distort the tube, leading to noticeable thickness variations along the filament body. Second, parasitic polarities, associated with filament feet, result in secondary dips above the related local inversion line. These dips belong to long field lines that pass below the flux tube. Many of these field lines are not rooted near the related foot. Finally, the present model shows that the coronal void interpretation cannot be ruled out to interpret the wideness of EUV filament channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using THEMIS vector magnetograms we measured vertical electric current density in the leading sunspot of NOAA 11127 active region during its disk passage. The current structures evolve versus time. MHD modelling allows us to explain the spiral pattern by torsion. We found observational visible counterparts in the SDO/AIA 335 A images. The field lines are visible as loops in the AIA images. When the torsion is increasing, a sigmoid is observed. In the present event observed on November 24th 2010, we find that reconnection is also necessary to explain their sigmoidal shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]