Diatomic Molecules as probes of sunspot magnetic field strength

Measuring the magnetic field within sunspots is pivotal to understanding the mechanisms governing the heating of the solar atmosphere, the dynamics of solar active regions, and the energy released in flares and coronal mass ejections.

To date around 70 diatomic molecules have been detected in sunspots. The advent of the DKIST telescope opens up the possibility of using these diatomic molecules in conjunction with existing atomic probes to give enhanced magnetic, thermal and dynamic diagnostics. They are also a largely unexplored diagnostic that may lead to new, unanticipated opportunities e.g. M dwarfs, cool stars.
The aims of this project are to i) curate and make available online a catalogue of theoretically verified experimental line lists (wavelengths and corresponding intensities) for diatomics of interest in sunspots, ii) develop computational models to simulate how the molecular spectra changes with magnetic field strengths typical within sunspots and thus iii) explore diatomics as probes of sunspot magnetic field strength. The opportunity to detect molecular lines using high-resolution spectrometers at new facilities or missions (e.g. DKIST, Solar Orbiter) will be explored.