11/29/2021
By Vedant Nitin Raheja

The Kennedy College of Science, Department of Physics & Applied Physics, invites you to attend a master’s thesis defense by Vedant Raheja entitled "Evaluation of the Hanle effect as a diagnostic tool for measuring the vector magnetic field through changes in polarization of the C IV 1548 Å line."

Master's Candidate: Vedant Raheja
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021
Time: 1 to 2 p.m. EST
Location: This will be a virtual defense via Zoom. Those interested in attending should contact Vedant Raheja at least 24 hours prior to the defense to request access to the meeting.

Committee Chair (Advisor): Timothy Cook, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Physics & Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Committee Members:

  • Ofer Cohen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Physics & Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Viktor Podolskiy, Ph.D., Professor, Assistant Chair, Graduate Coordinator, Department of Physics & Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract:
Current models of the vector magnetic field are driven by the magnetic field information at the photosphere. The creation of an accurate model of the vector magnetic field requires the study of the magnetic field conditions in the solar transition region and corona. The C IV Electromagnetic Topology Camera and Active Telescope Spectropolarimeter (CIVET CATS) is a sounding rocket mission that intends to combine the obtained information of the transition region magnetic fields with current photospheric data to constrain models of the solar magnetic field. This thesis analyzes the use of the Hanle effect as a means for measuring the magnetic field of the sun in the transition region. The procedure for calculation of the degree and direction of polarization is discussed as a means of measuring the change in polarization in the C IV 1548 Å line along with its viability for obtaining measurements in the transition region. In doing so, the domain of sensitivity of the C IV line is evaluated. Suggestions have been provided on how to calculate the vector magnetic field using the Hanle effect analysis.

All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend the online defense via remote access.