Bibcode
Sánchez Almeida, J.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 438, Issue 2, August I 2005, pp.727-732
Advertised on:
8
2005
Journal
Citations
25
Refereed citations
16
Description
The Hanle depolarization signals of Sr i λ4607 Å have been
used to estimate the unsigned magnetic flux and magnetic energy existing
in the quiet Sun photosphere. However, the Sr i λ4607 Å
Hanle signals are not sensitive to the unsigned flux and energy. They
only bear information on the fraction of photosphere occupied by
magnetic field strengths smaller than the Hanle saturation, which do not
contribute to the unsigned flux and energy. We deduce an approximate
expression for the relationship between magnetic fill factor and Hanle
signal. When applied to existing Hanle depolarization measurements, it
indicates that only 40% of the quiet Sun is filled by magnetic fields
with a strength smaller than 60 G. The remaining 60% of the surface has
field strengths above this limit. Such constraint will be needed to
determine the distribution of magnetic field strengths existing in the
quiet Sun.