Polarization in Spectral LinesThe scientific research based on spectropolarimetric techniques is undergoing a phase of rapid growth. Instruments of unprecedented sensitivity are nowadays available, particularly for solar observations. To fully exploit the rich diagnostic content of such observations, it is necessary to understand the physical mechanisms involved in the generation and transfer of polarized radiation in astrophysical (or laboratory) plasmas. After an introductory part based on classical physics, this book tackles the subject by a rigorous quantum-mechanical approach. The transfer equations for polarized radiation and the statistical equilibrium equations for the atomic density matrix are derived directly from the principles of Quantum Electrodynamics. The two sets of equations are then used to present a number of applications, mainly concerning the diagnostics of solar magnetic fields. This book is primarily addressed to scientists working in the field of spectropolarimetry. It may also serve as a textbook for a course at the graduate or advanced undergraduate level. |
Contents
CHAPTER 1 | 1 |
EPt | 11 |
VI | 27 |
CHAPTER 2 | 29 |
J12 | 41 |
Conversely these commutation rules could be taken as basic | 63 |
12 | 71 |
CHAPTER 3 | 73 |
A number of interesting results can be derived from Eqs | 402 |
20 | 461 |
Log 91 | 465 |
Mb | 481 |
1 | 490 |
CHAPTER 10 | 509 |
Pa | 596 |
δ | 608 |
5P3D4 | 83 |
Ω | 85 |
5 | 101 |
5 | 102 |
5 | 103 |
20 | 104 |
F3 | 113 |
J₂ | 129 |
CHAPTER 4 | 131 |
CHAPTER 5 | 147 |
from which we deduce | 168 |
P | 178 |
Z | 185 |
Fig516 Qualitative description of a 90 scattering event | 213 |
MATTERRADIATION INTERACTION CLASSICAL | 214 |
5170 | 215 |
CHAPTER 6 | 237 |
CHAPTER 7 | 277 |
CHAPTER 8 | 349 |
CHAPTER 9 | 375 |
զզ | 378 |
Pv | 609 |
Pa | 616 |
CHAPTER 11 | 625 |
CHAPTER 12 | 663 |
h | 679 |
h | 680 |
h | 682 |
CHAPTER 13 | 689 |
8 | 699 |
8 | 723 |
02 | 726 |
W | 727 |
CHAPTER 14 | 737 |
Ꮓ | 744 |
102 | 755 |
APPENDIX | 791 |
Finally from Eq A2010 one can | 850 |
0 | 851 |
LIST OF TABLES | 867 |
| 869 | |
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Common terms and phrases
6-j symbols absorption angle angular momentum anisotropy approximation Astrophys atomic polarization circular polarization coefficients collisional collisions components consider corresponding defined in Eq density matrix depolarizing Doppler eigenvectors evolution operator expression frequency given by Eq Hamiltonian Hanle effect help of Eqs hyperfine structure integral J₁ J₂ K₁ Landé factor Landi Degl'Innocenti linear polarization lower level M₁ magnetic field magnetic field vector matrix elements multiplet multipole multipole moments non-LTE optical depth oscillator phase matrix physical profiles propagation matrix properties quantities quantum numbers radiation field tensor radiative transfer equations reference direction reference system rotation scattering Sect sin²0 solar spectral line statistical equilibrium equations statistical tensors Stokes parameters sublevels Substitution symbol term transition two-level atom unit vectors unpolarized upper level velocity wavelength width Zeeman zero Σ Σ