The Zeeman broadening of high n solar recombination lines

The Zeeman broadening of high n lines is derived. While in areas of the quiet Sun with field strengths of 1 G the upper boundary of the observable frequency region of recombination lines is defined by electron impact broadening, in active regions with field strengths 25 G the Zeeman broadening will shift this boundary to higher frequencies. The frequency region most favourable for observations is derived and the corresponding Doppler, electron impact and Zeeman broadening are discussed. The strengths of the recombination lines obtained in earlier calculations is reduced when one considers besides the Doppler broadening the electron impact and Zeeman broadening also. The frequency region favourable for observations is compared with the atmospheric transparency of the microwave region; it is found that observations require at least high altitude stations or space-based platforms. Details of using the Zeeman broadening of high n recombination lines for mapping (coronal) magnetic fields are given.