Modeling the scattering polarization of the solar Ca i 4227 {\AA} line with angle-dependent partial frequency redistribution

TL;DR

This study compares angle-dependent and angle-averaged partial frequency redistribution models to accurately simulate the scattering polarization of the solar Ca I 4227 Å line, highlighting the importance of AD treatment for line-core polarization.

Contribution

It evaluates the validity of the angle-averaged approximation versus the full angle-dependent treatment in modeling scattering polarization in the solar Ca I 4227 Å line.

Findings

AD treatment is essential for accurate line-core polarization modeling.

AA approximation suffices for wing polarization and magnetic sensitivity.

AD calculations better match observed sharp polarization peaks.

Abstract

Context. The correct modeling of the scattering polarization signals observed in several strong resonance lines requires taking partial frequency redistribution (PRD) phenomena into account. Aims. This work aims at assessing the impact and the range of validity of the angle-averaged AA approximation with respect to the general angle-dependent (AD) treatment of PRD effects in the modeling of scattering polarization in strong resonance lines, with focus on the solar Ca i 4227 {\AA} line. Methods. Spectral line polarization is modeled by solving the radiative transfer problem for polarized radiation, under nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium conditions, taking PRD effects into account, in static one-dimensional semi-empirical atmospheric models presenting arbitrary magnetic fields. The problem is solved through a two-step approach. In step 1, the problem is solved for intensity only, considering a multi-level atom. In step 2, the problem is solved including polarization, considering a two-level atom with an unpolarized and infinitely sharp lower level, and fixing the lower level population calculated at step 1. Results. The results for the Ca i 4227 {\AA} line show a good agreement between the AA and AD calculations for the Q/I and U/I wings signals. However, AA calculations reveal an artificial trough in the line-core peak of the linear polarization profiles, whereas AD calculations show a sharper peak in agreement with observations. Conclusions. An AD treatment of PRD effects is essential to correctly model the line-core peak of the scattering polarization signal of the Ca i 4227 {\AA} line. By contrast, in the considered static case, the AA approximation seems to be suitable to model the wing scattering polarization lobes and their magnetic sensitivity through magneto-optical effects.