The influence of molecular blends and non-thermal line broadening on the profile of the Zeeman triplet λ5250.22 in sunspots

Calculations of the umbral profile of the Zeeman triplet 5250.22 are presented. We have taken into account the effect of a molecular blend from TiO at 5250.24 causing an apparent -component even for longitudinal magnetic fields. Also included is the depression of the spot continuum due to line wings and veiled weak lines in the umbra spectrum. The effect of different amounts of non-thermal broadening is investigated.The results point to the need of a better theoretical treatment of molecular and atomic blends and to the importance of more reliable values for the non-thermal broadening in sunspots. Furthermore, the importance of a proper stray light correction is noted, particularly including the stray light from the penumbra.