Measuring Magnetic Fields in the Chromosphere and Above

Rafael Manso Sainz (Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung)

Abstract. Magnetic fields play a fundamental role on the dynamics and thermodynamics of the chromosphere and outter layers of the sun but they are notably difficult to study empirically. They can only be directly observed from polarization in spectral lines, which has been challenging to record in most chromospheric and coronal lines, and whose interpretation is not always straigtforward. However, new observational techniques and instruments and important theoretical advances during the last decade are allowing access to the magnetism of the higher layers with noderstely high spatial resolution. We will review the most important spectropolarimetric techniques, based on the interpretation of the Zeeman and Hanle effects, and scattering signals, the most interesting lines to probe the different layers, the present instrumentation, and the most likely future developements in this exciting field.

Invited Talk