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| Paper: |
Solar Polarimetry: An Overview |
| Volume: |
343, Astronomical Polarimetry: Current Status and Future Directions |
| Page: |
357 |
| Authors: |
Lin, H. |
| Abstract: |
Polarimetry has many applications and a long history in solar physics research. The first polarimetric observation of a sunspot was performed by G. E. Hale in 1908. Today, polarimetry is one of the most important diagnostic tools of solar astronomy. The presence of solar magnetic fields naturally produces many polarized spectral lines that are useful for the study of solar magnetism. In addition, the scattering process and the interaction between the magnetic field and the scattering process yield additional important diagnostic tools for studies of solar phenomena and physical processes that are otherwise difficult to observe. This review describes how these polarimetric diagnostics are being utilized in our endeavor to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the Sun. |
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