Hanle rotation signatures in Sr I 4607 Å

Abstract

Context. Measuring small-scale magnetic fields and constraining their role in energy transport and dynamics in the solar atmosphere are crucial, albeit challenging, tasks in solar physics. To this aim, observations of scattering polarization and the Hanle effect in various spectral lines are increasingly used to complement traditional magnetic field determination techniques. Aims. One of the strongest scattering polarization signals in the photosphere is measured in the Sr I line at 4607.3 Å when observed close to the solar limb. Here, we present the first observational evidence of Hanle rotation in the linearly polarized spectrum of this line at several limb distances. Methods. We used the Zurich IMaging POLarimeter, ZIMPOL at the IRSOL observatory, with exceptionally good seeing conditions and long integration times. We combined the fast-modulating polarimeter with a slow modulator installed in front of the telescope. This combination allows for a high level of precision and unprecedented accuracy in the measurement of spectropolarimetric data. Results. Fixing the reference direction for positive Stokes Q parallel to the limb, we detected singly peaked U/I signals well above the noise level. We can exclude any instrumental origins for such U/I signals. These signatures are exclusively found in the Sr I line, but not in the adjoining Fe I line, therefore eliminating the Zeeman effect as the mechanism responsible for their appearance. However, we find a clear spatial correlation between the circular polarization produced by the Zeeman effect and the U/I amplitudes. This suggests that the detected U/I signals are the signatures of Hanle rotation caused by a spatially resolved magnetic field. Conclusions. A novel measurement technique allows for determining the absolute level of polarization with unprecedented precision. Using this technique, high-precision spectropolarimetric observations reveal, for the first time, unambiguous U/I signals attributed to Hanle rotation in the Sr I line.