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An electrograph for measurement of macroscopic electric fields in prominences and flares

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Abstract

We describe an ‘electrograph’ instrument designed for measurement of macroscopic electric fields in solar plasmas, using the polarization dependence of line width in Stark-broadened hydrogen Paschen emission lines. Observations of quiescent prominences and limb chromosphere with our electrograph at the NSO/Sac Peak Evans Coronal Facility provide upper limits of 5–10 V cm−1 for transverse macroscopic electric fields in these structures, averaged over an area of about 5 × 7 arc sec. Random thermal motions of hydrogen ions across magnetic field lines generate a quasi-static electric field, which should be distinguishable from pressure broadening in the intensely magnetized chromosphere over a sunspot, given an electrograph sensitivity a factor 2–3 better than that achieved here. Future electrograph measurements of limb flares, post-flare loops and eruptive prominences, even at 5 V cm−1 sensitivity, could provide a useful new test of reconnection and discharge effects in such dynamic structures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cambridge Research and Instrumentation, Inc., 02139, Cambridge, MA, U.S.A.

    T. Moran & P. Foukal

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  1. T. Moran
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  2. P. Foukal
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Moran, T., Foukal, P. An electrograph for measurement of macroscopic electric fields in prominences and flares. Sol Phys 135, 179–191 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00146705

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00146705

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