The transfer of resonance line polarization with partial frequency redistribution and J-state interference

Abstract

The linear polarization signals produced by scattering processes in strong resonance lines are rich in information on the magnetic and thermal structure of the chromosphere and transition region of the Sun and of other stars. A correct modeling of these signals requires accounting for partial frequency redistribution effects, as well as for the impact of quantum interference between different fine structure levels (J-state interference). In this paper, we present a theoretical approach suitable for modeling the transfer of resonance line polarization when taking these effects into account, along with an accurate numerical method of solution of the problem's equations. We consider a two-term atom with unpolarized lower term and infinitely sharp lower levels, in the absence of magnetic fields. We show that by making simple formal substitutions on the quantum numbers, the theoretical approach derived here for a two-term atom can also be applied to describe a two-level atom with hyperfine structure. An illustrative application to the MgII doublet around 2800A is presented.

Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

References in corpus (2)

• Scattering Polarization of Hydrogen Lines in Weakly Magnetized Stellar Atmospheres I. Formulation and Application to Isothermal Models
• Are collisions with neutral hydrogen important for modelling the Second Solar Spectrum of Ti I and Ca II ?

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• Solar polarimetry through the K I lines at 770 nm
• Master equation theory applied to the redistribution of polarized radiation in the weak radiation field limit. V. The two-term atom
• Modeling the scattering polarization of the solar Ca i 4227 Å line with angle-dependent partial frequency redistribution
• The transfer of polarized radiation in resonance lines with partial frequency redistribution, J-state interference, and arbitrary magnetic fields. A radiative transfer code and useful approximations
• Formation of the Mg II h and k polarization profiles in a solar plage model and their suitability to infer magnetic fields
• Diagnostic potential of wavelength-integrated scattering polarisation signals of the solar He II Ly-alpha line
• The magnetic sensitivity of the Ca II resonance and subordinate lines in the solar atmosphere