A Non-Zeeman Interpretation for Polarized Maser Radiation and the Magnetic Field at the Atmospheres of Late-Type Giants

Abstract

The linear polarization that is observed, together with likely changes in the orientation of the magnetic field along the line of sight and hence of the optical axes of the medium, can lead to the circular polarization that is observed in the radiation of the circumstellar SiO masers. A magnetic field greater than only about 30 mG is required, in contrast to 10-100 G that would be implied by the Zeeman interpretation. To assess quantitatively the likely changes in orientation of the magnetic field, calculations are performed with representative field configurations that are created by statistical sampling using a Kolmogorov-like power spectrum.Comment: 7 pages Latex (aaspp4.sty), 3 ps-figures. Accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letter