Detection of Opposite Magnetic Polarity in a Light Bridge: Its Emergence and Cancellation in association with LB Fan-shaped Jets

TL;DR

This study provides observational evidence linking magnetic flux emergence and cancellation in a light bridge to fan-shaped jet ejections, supporting magnetic reconnection as the driving mechanism.

Contribution

It presents detailed measurements of opposite polarity flux emergence and its role in jet formation in a light bridge, a connection not extensively documented before.

Findings

Magnetic flux of opposite polarity emerges in the light bridge.

Flux cancellation occurs at a rate of 5.6x10^18 Mx/hr.

Jet ejections and brightenings are initiated near flux cancellation sites.

Abstract

Light bridges (LBs) are relatively bright structures that divide sunspot umbrae into two or more parts. Chromospheric LBs are known to be associated with various activities including fan-shaped jet-like ejections and brightenings. Although magnetic reconnection is frequently suggested to be responsible for such activities, not many studies present firm evidence to support the scenario. We carry out magnetic field measurements and imaging spectroscopy of a LB where fan-shaped jet-like ejections occur with co-spatial brightenings at their footpoints. We study LB fine structure and magnetic field changes using TiO images, Near-InfraRed Imaging Spectropolarimeter, and Halpha data taken by the 1.6~m Goode Solar Telescope. We detect magnetic flux emergence in the LB that is of opposite polarity to that of the sunspot. The new magnetic flux cancels with the pre-existing flux at a rate of 5.6x10^18 Mx/hr. Both the recurrent jet-like ejections and their base brightenings are initiated at the vicinity of the magnetic flux cancellation, and show apparent horizontal extension along the LB at a projected speed of up to 18.4km/s to form a fan-shaped appearance. Based on these observations, we suggest that the fan-shaped ejections may have resulted from slipping reconnection between the new flux emerging in the LB and the ambient sunspot field.