Conductive flux in the chromosphere derived from line linear polarization observation

Linear polarization in two chromospheric lines (Hα and SI 1437 A) was observed in the gradual phase of solar flares. The polarized electric vector is directed towards disk center. This polarization could be due to collisional excitation of hydrogen and SI by energetic electrons beamed in the vertical direction. Direct excitation by a highly energetic beam of electrons of order 10–100 keV. is doubtful. The heat flux in the region connecting the transition zone to the high chromosphere during the gradual phase of a flare could lead to an anisotropic excitation. Selecting a function which represents the velocity distribution of electrons carrying heat flux, the relationship between conductive heat flux and linear line polarization has been computed. The application of the relationship between linear polarization and heat flux to the observed degree of polarization leads to the determination of the conductive heat flux in the high chromosphere. This conductive flux is of the order of magnitude of the total radiation loss in the chromosphere and below, which is also of the order of magnitude of the conductive flux in the transition zone.