Bibcode
Martínez-González, M. J.; Bellot Rubio, L. R.; Solanki, S. K.; Martínez-Pillet, V.; Del Toro Iniesta, J. C.; Barthol, P.; Schmidt, W.
Bibliographical reference
The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Volume 758, Issue 2, article id. L40 (2012).
Advertised on:
10
2012
Citations
39
Refereed citations
32
Description
We analyze the spectral asymmetry of Stokes V (circularly polarized)
profiles of an individual network patch in the quiet Sun observed by
Sunrise/IMaX. At a spatial resolution of 0farcs15-0farcs18, the network
elements contain substructure which is revealed by the spatial
distribution of Stokes V asymmetries. The area asymmetry between the red
and blue lobes of Stokes V increases from nearly zero at the core of the
structure to values close to unity at its edges (single-lobed profiles).
Such a distribution of the area asymmetry is consistent with magnetic
fields expanding with height, i.e., an expanding magnetic canopy (which
is required to fulfill pressure balance and flux conservation in the
solar atmosphere). Inversion of the Stokes I and V profiles of the patch
confirms this picture, revealing a decreasing field strength and
increasing height of the canopy base from the core to the periphery of
the network patch. However, the non-roundish shape of the structure and
the presence of negative area and amplitude asymmetries reveal that the
scenario is more complex than a canonical flux tube expanding with
height surrounded by downflows.
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