Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Polarization Of Astronomical Maser Radiation, Moshe Elitzur

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The polarization of maser radiation when the source is permeated by an aligned magnetic field is derived for arbitrary angular momenta of the transition states. This generalization is made possible by an analysis of the structure of the propagating waves in a frame aligned with the magnetic axis. The key elements in determining the polarization properties are the assumption of independent and incoherent pump and loss processes for all magnetic sublevels, and the beaming of maser radiation. The radiation propagating in the direction of maximal intensity growth is polarized according to the solutions derived by Goldreich, Keeley, and Kwan for …