Evolution of Magnetic Field in AR 5747 and Its Approximation as a Linear Force Free Field

Abstract

The evolution of nonpotential characteristics of magnetic fields in AR 5747 is presented using Mees Solar Observatory magnetograms taken on Oct. 20, 1989 to Oct. 22, 1989. The active region showed such violent flaring activities during the observational span that strong X-ray flares took place including a 2B/X3 flare. The magnetogram data were obtained by the Haleakala Stokes Polarimeter which provides simultaneous Stokes profiles of the Fe I doublet 6301.5 and 6302.5. A nonlinear least square method was adopted to derive the magnetic field vectors from the observed Stokes profiles and a multi-step ambiguity solution method was employed to resolve the 180 degree ambiguity. From the ambiguity-resolved vector magnetograms, we have derived a set of physical quantities characterizing the field configuration, which are magnetic flux, vertical current density, magnetic shear angle, angular shear, magnetic free energy density and a measure of magnetic field discontinuity MAD (Maximum Angular Difference between two adjacent field vectors). In our results, all the physical parameters decreased with time, which implies that the active region was in a relaxation stage of its evolution. To examine the force-free characteristics of the field, we calculated the integrated Lorentz force and and also compared the longitudinal field component with the corresponding vertical current density. In this investigation, we found that the magnetic field in this active region was approximately linearly force-free throughout the observing period. The time variation of the linear force-free coefficient is consistent with the evolutionary trend of other nonpotentiality parameters. This suggests that the linear force-free coefficient could be a good indicator of the evolutionary status of active regions.