Polarization phase matrices for radiation scattering on atoms in external magnetic fields: The case of forbidden transitions in astrophysics

TL;DR

This paper derives polarization phase matrices for radiation scattering involving forbidden atomic transitions in magnetic fields, providing a comprehensive quantum electrodynamical framework applicable to astrophysical observations.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum electrodynamical derivation of scattering phase matrices for forbidden transitions in magnetic fields, including the Zeeman and Hanle regimes.

Findings

Derived phase matrices for forbidden transitions in magnetic fields

Computed Stokes profiles for different magnetic regimes

Presented a unified approach covering Zeeman and Hanle effects

Abstract

Using a quantum electrodynamical approach, we derive the scattering phase matrices for polarized radiation involving forbidden line transitions and in the presence of an external magnetic field. The case of (J=0->2->0) scattering is considered as an example. The non-magnetic Rayleigh scattering phase matrix is also presented. The Stokes profiles in a single scattering event are computed for the strong field (Zeeman) and weak field (Hanle) limits, covering also the regime of intermediate field strengths (Hanle- Zeeman).