Grain Alignment, Polarization and Magnetic Fields

Abstract

Aligned non-spherical dust particles polarize starlight passing through the dust cloud. They also emit polarized far infrared and sub-mm radiation. Substantial progress in understanding of grain alignment theory makes the interpretation of the polarized radiation in terms of underlying magnetic fields much more reliable. I discuss a number of fundamental processes that affect grain alignment. In particular, I shall discuss how subtle effects related to nuclear spins of the atoms alter the dynamics of dust grains. I shall discuss how the theory explains the existing observational data and demonstrate when the polarization can and cannot be interpreted in terms of the underlying magnetic fields.