Is the solar chromospheric magnetic field force-free?

Abstract

We use observations of the Na I lambda 5896 spectral line, made with the Stokes Polarimeter at Mees Solar Observatory, to measure the chromospheric vector magnetic field in NOAA active region 7216. We compute the magnetic field from observations of the Stokes parameters at six wavelengths within this spectral line using a derivative method and calculate the height dependence of the net Lorentz force in the photosphere and low chromosphere. We conclude that the magnetic field is not force-free in the photosphere, but becomes force-free roughly 400 km above the photosphere.