Inversion of Stokes vector profiles in terms of a 3-component model

Various spectropolarimetric observations show peculiar Stokes profiles that reveal the coexistence of at least two magnetic components in the same resolution element. An example is given by observations of the full Stokes vector in a complex active region performed with the ZIMPOL I Stokes polarimeter. In order to deduce the physical parameters of the observed regions from such measured profiles, we have extended an existing inversion code, so that it can now fit the data with models composed of up to three different atmospheric components. Two of these components are magnetic and may possess different field strengths, field geometries, temperature stratifications, and velocity fields. The third component describes the field free atmosphere surrounding the magnetic features.The so extended inversion code has then been applied to the ZIMPOL I data. In this paper we present and discuss sample fits. The code is able to reproduce the observed complex Stokes profiles with good accuracy and provides physical parameters for both of the coexisting magnetic atmospheres. Inversion tests with a 2-component model (with one magnetic and one non-magnetic component) applied to the same profiles do not reproduce the measurements sufficiently well.