Modifications to the relationship between the magnetic field and weak Zeeman features in the spectra of astrophysical masers

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185825· OSTI ID:6304307

Nedoluha, G E; Watson, W D ^[1]

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1. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC (USA) Illinois Univ., Urbana (USA)

Numerical solutions are presented for the equations of radiative transfer for astrophysical masers in a magnetic field to describe the observed weak circular polarization of H{sub 2}O and SiO masers. Previously unrecognized intensity-dependent effects are found to produce circular polarization which resembles that of the usual Zeeman effect. Astrophysical H{sub 2}O, SiO, and perhaps other masers are likely to be radiatively saturated with rates for stimulated emission that are within 1-2 orders of magnitude of the Zeeman frequency. Under these conditions, the circular polarization found here tends to be larger (but can be smaller) and may be of opposite sign from that given by the standard treatment for polarized Zeeman spectra. 15 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6304307
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 361; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AMPLIFIERS
CHALCOGENIDES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INTERSTELLAR MAGNETIC FIELDS
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MASERS
MICROWAVE AMPLIFIERS
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLARIZATION
RADIATION TRANSPORT
RADIATIONS
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
SPACE
SPECTROSCOPY
WATER
ZEEMAN EFFECT