An electrograph for measurement of macroscopic electric fields in prominences and flares |
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| Authors: | T Moran P Foukal |
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| Institution: | (1) Cambridge Research and Instrumentation, Inc., 02139 Cambridge, MA, U.S.A. |
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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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