Magnetic diffusion in solar atmosphere produces measurable electric fields

Tetsu Anan (), Roberto Casini, Han Uitenbroek, Thomas A. Schad, Hector Socas-Navarro, Kiyoshi Ichimoto, Sarah A. Jaeggli, Sanjiv K. Tiwari, Jeffrey W. Reep, Yukio Katsukawa, Ayumi Asai, Jiong Qiu, Kevin P. Reardon, Alexandra Tritschler, Friedrich Wöger and Thomas R. Rimmele
Additional contact information
Tetsu Anan: National Solar Observatory
Roberto Casini: NSF NCAR High Altitude Observatory
Han Uitenbroek: National Solar Observatory
Thomas A. Schad: National Solar Observatory
Hector Socas-Navarro: Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
Kiyoshi Ichimoto: Ritsumeikan University
Sarah A. Jaeggli: National Solar Observatory
Sanjiv K. Tiwari: Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory
Jeffrey W. Reep: University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
Yukio Katsukawa: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
Ayumi Asai: Kyoto University
Jiong Qiu: Montana State University
Kevin P. Reardon: National Solar Observatory
Alexandra Tritschler: National Solar Observatory
Friedrich Wöger: National Solar Observatory
Thomas R. Rimmele: National Solar Observatory

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract The efficient release of magnetic energy in astrophysical plasmas, such as during solar flares, can in principle be achieved through magnetic diffusion, at a rate determined by the associated electric field. However, attempts at measuring electric fields in the solar atmosphere are scarce, and none exist for sites where the magnetic energy is presumably released. Here, we present observations of an energetic event using the National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, where we detect the polarization signature of electric fields associated with magnetic diffusion. We measure the linear and circular polarization across the hydrogen Hε Balmer line at 397 nm at the site of a brightening event in the solar chromosphere. Our spectro-polarimetric modeling demonstrates that the observed polarization signals can only be explained by the presence of electric fields, providing conclusive evidence of magnetic diffusion, and opening a new window for the quantitative study of this mechanism in space plasmas.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53102-x

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