Computations of the Degree of Linear Polarization in the Hα Line in Chromospheric Flares in the Presence of Electron-Collisional Excitation

Abstract

A new approach to the use of analytical computations of the linear polarization in the Hα line generated by fluxes of accelerated electrons during solar flares is presented. The model for the electron distribution function and the analytical expressions used for the excitation cross section and the degree of linear polarization are described. Test computations of the degree of linear polarization were carried out, and the dependence of the degree of linear polarization on the parameters of the electron distribution function in the solar chromosphere is analyzed. The possibility of applying this method to estimate the parameters of the anisotropic electron distribution corresponding to the measured polarization is demonstrated.