Author name code: fischer ADS astronomy entries on 2022-09-14 =author:"Fischer, C.E." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Title: Towards the Identification and Classification of Solar Granulation Structures Using Semantic Segmentation Authors: Díaz Castillo, S. M.; Asensio Ramos, A.; Fischer, C. E.; Berdyugina, S. V. Bibcode: 2022FrASS...9.6632D Altcode: Solar granulation is the visible signature of convective cells at the solar surface. The granulation cellular pattern observed in the continuum intensity images is characterised by diverse structures e.g., bright individual granules of hot rising gas or dark intergranular lanes. Recently, the access to new instrumentation capabilities has given us the possibility to obtain high-resolution images, which have revealed the overwhelming complexity of granulation (e.g., exploding granules and granular lanes). In that sense, any research focused on understanding solar small-scale phenomena on the solar surface is sustained on the effective identification and localization of the different resolved structures. In this work, we present the initial results of a proposed classification model of solar granulation structures based on neural semantic segmentation. We inspect the ability of the U-net architecture, a convolutional neural network initially proposed for biomedical image segmentation, to be applied to the dense segmentation of solar granulation. We use continuum intensity maps of the IMaX instrument onboard the Sunrise I balloon-borne solar observatory and their corresponding segmented maps as a training set. The training data have been labeled using the multiple-level technique (MLT) and also by hand. We performed several tests of the performance and precision of this approach in order to evaluate the versatility of the U-net architecture. We found an appealing potential of the U-net architecture to identify cellular patterns in solar granulation images reaching an average accuracy above 80% in the initial training experiments. Title: Newly formed downflow lanes in exploding granules in the solar photosphere Authors: Ellwarth, M.; Fischer, C. E.; Vitas, N.; Schmiz, S.; Schmidt, W. Bibcode: 2021A&A...653A..96E Altcode: 2021arXiv210700582E Context. Exploding granules have drawn renewed interest because of their interaction with the magnetic field (either emerging or already present). Especially the newly forming downflow lanes developing in their centre seem to be eligible candidates for the intensification of magnetic fields. We analyse spectroscopic data from two different instruments in order to study the intricate velocity pattern within the newly forming downflow lanes in detail.
Aims: We aim to examine general properties of a number of exploding granules, such as their lifetime and extend. To gain a better understanding of the formation process of the developing intergranular lane in exploding granules, we study the temporal evolution and height dependence of the line-of-sight velocities at their formation location. Additionally, we search for evidence that exploding granules act as acoustic sources.
Methods: We investigated the evolution of several exploding granules using data taken with the Interferometric Bidimensional Spectrometer and the Imaging Magnetograph eXperiment. Velocities for different heights of the solar atmosphere were determined by computing bisectors of the Fe I 6173.0 Å and the Fe I 5250.2 Å lines. We performed a wavelet analysis to study the intensity and velocity oscillations within and around exploding granules. We also compared our observational findings with predictions of numerical simulations.
Results: Exploding granules have significantly longer lifetimes (10 to 15 min) than regular granules. Exploding granules larger than 3.8″ form an independent intergranular lane during their decay phase, while smaller granules usually fade away or disappear into the intergranular area (we find only one exception of a smaller exploding granule that also forms an intergranular lane). For all exploding granules that form a new intergranular downflow lane, we find a temporal height-dependent shift with respect to the maximum of the downflow velocity. Our suggestion that this results from a complex atmospheric structure within the newly forming downflow lane is supported by the comparison with synthesised profiles inferred from the simulations. We found an enhanced wavelet power with periods between 120 s to 190 s seen in the intensity and velocity oscillations of high photospheric or chromospheric spectral lines in the region of the dark core of an exploding granule. Title: Interaction of Magnetic Fields with a Vortex Tube at Solar Subgranular Scale Authors: Fischer, C. E.; Vigeesh, G.; Lindner, P.; Borrero, J. M.; Calvo, F.; Steiner, O. Bibcode: 2020ApJ...903L..10F Altcode: 2020arXiv201005577F Using high-resolution spectropolarimetric data recorded with the Swedish 1 m Solar Telescope, we have identified several instances of granular lanes traveling into granules. These are believed to be the observational signature of underlying tubes of vortical flow with their axis oriented parallel to the solar surface. Associated with these horizontal vortex tubes, we detect in some cases a significant signal in linear polarization, located at the trailing dark edge of the granular lane. The linear polarization appears at a later stage of the granular lane development, and is flanked by patches of circular polarization. Stokes inversions show that the elongated patch of linear polarization signal arises from the horizontal magnetic field aligned with the granular lane. We analyze snapshots of a magnetohydrodynamic numerical simulation and find cases in which the horizontal vortex tube of the granular lane redistributes and transports the magnetic field to the solar surface causing a polarimetric signature similar to what is observed. We thus witness a mechanism capable of transporting magnetic flux to the solar surface within granules. This mechanism is probably an important component of the small-scale dynamo supposedly acting at the solar surface and generating the quiet-Sun magnetic field. Title: Evolution of Stokes V area asymmetry related to a quiet Sun cancellation observed with GRIS/IFU Authors: Kaithakkal, A. J.; Borrero, J. M.; Fischer, C. E.; Dominguez-Tagle, C.; Collados, M. Bibcode: 2020A&A...634A.131K Altcode: 2020arXiv200105465K A quiet Sun magnetic flux cancellation event at the disk center was recorded using the Integral Field Unit (IFU) mounted on the GREGOR Infrared Spectrograph (GRIS). The GRIS instrument sampled the event in the photospheric Si I 10827 Å spectral line. The cancellation was preceded by a significant rise in line core intensity and excitation temperature, which is inferred from Stokes inversions under local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). The opposite polarity features seem to undergo reconnection above the photosphere. We also found that the border pixels neighboring the polarity inversion line of one of the polarities exhibit a systematic variation of area asymmetry. Area asymmetry peaks right after the line core intensity enhancement and gradually declines thereafter. Analyzing Stokes profiles recorded from either side of the polarity inversion line could therefore potentially provide additional information on the reconnection process related to magnetic flux cancellation. Further analysis without assuming LTE will be required to fully characterize this event.

Movie associated to Fig. 2 is available at https://www.aanda.org Title: Photospheric Magnetic Fields of the Trailing Sunspots in Active Region NOAA 12396 Authors: Verma, M.; Balthasar, H.; Denker, C.; Böhm, F.; Fischer, C. E.; Kuckein, C.; González Manrique, S. J.; Sobotka, M.; Bello González, N.; Diercke, A.; Berkefeld, T.; Collados, M.; Feller, A.; Hofmann, A.; Lagg, A.; Nicklas, H.; Orozco Suárez, D.; Pastor Yabar, A.; Rezaei, R.; Schlichenmaier, R.; Schmidt, D.; Schmidt, W.; Sigwarth, M.; Solanki, S. K.; Soltau, D.; Staude, J.; Strassmeier, K.; Volkmer, R.; von der Lühe, O.; Waldmann, T. Bibcode: 2019ASPC..526..291V Altcode: 2018arXiv180507752V The solar magnetic field is responsible for all aspects of solar activity. Sunspots are the main manifestation of the ensuing solar activity. Combining high-resolution and synoptic observations has the ambition to provide a comprehensive description of the sunspot growth and decay processes. Active region NOAA 12396 emerged on 2015 August 3 and was observed three days later with the 1.5-meter GREGOR solar telescope on 2015 August 6. High-resolution spectropolarimetric data from the GREGOR Infrared Spectrograph (GRIS) are obtained in the photospheric lines Si I λ1082.7 nm and Ca I λ1083.9 nm, together with the chromospheric He I λ1083.0 nm triplet. These near-infrared spectropolarimetric observations were complemented by synoptic line-of-sight magnetograms and continuum images of the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) and EUV images of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Title: Observations of solar small-scale magnetic flux-sheet emergence Authors: Fischer, C. E.; Borrero, J. M.; Bello González, N.; Kaithakkal, A. J. Bibcode: 2019A&A...622L..12F Altcode: 2019arXiv190105870F
Aims: Two types of flux emergence were recently discovered in numerical simulations: magnetic loops and magnetic sheet emergence. While magnetic loop emergence has been documented well in recent years using high-resolution full Stokes data from ground-based telescopes as well as satellites, magnetic sheet emergence is still an understudied process. We report here on the first clear observational evidence of a magnetic sheet emergence and characterise its development.
Methods: Full Stokes spectra from the Hinode spectropolarimeter were inverted with the Stokes Inversion based on Response functions (SIR) code to obtain solar atmospheric parameters such as temperature, line-of-sight velocities, and full magnetic field vector information.
Results: We analyse a magnetic flux emergence event observed in the quiet-Sun internetwork. After a large-scale appearance of linear polarisation, a magnetic sheet with horizontal magnetic flux density of up to 194 Mx cm-2 hovers in the low photosphere spanning a region of 2-3 arcsec. The magnetic field azimuth obtained through Stokes inversions clearly shows an organised structure of transversal magnetic flux density emerging. The granule below the magnetic flux sheet tears the structure apart leaving the emerged flux to form several magnetic loops at the edges of the granule.
Conclusions: A large amount of flux with strong horizontal magnetic fields surfaces through the interplay of buried magnetic flux and convective motions. The magnetic flux emerges within 10 minutes and we find a longitudinal magnetic flux at the foot points of the order of ∼1018 Mx. This is one to two orders of magnitude larger than what has been reported for small-scale magnetic loops. The convective flows feed the newly emerged flux into the pre-existing magnetic population on a granular scale.

Movie attached to Fig. 5 is available at https://www.aanda.org Title: Flows along arch filaments observed in the GRIS `very fast spectroscopic mode' Authors: González Manrique, S. J.; Denker, C.; Kuckein, C.; Pastor Yabar, A.; Collados, M.; Verma, M.; Balthasar, H.; Diercke, A.; Fischer, C. E.; Gömöry, P.; Bello González, N.; Schlichenmaier, R.; Cubas Armas, M.; Berkefeld, T.; Feller, A.; Hoch, S.; Hofmann, A.; Lagg, A.; Nicklas, H.; Orozco Suárez, D.; Schmidt, D.; Schmidt, W.; Sigwarth, M.; Sobotka, M.; Solanki, S. K.; Soltau, D.; Staude, J.; Strassmeier, K. G.; Volkmer, R.; von der Lühe, O.; Waldmann, T. Bibcode: 2017IAUS..327...28G Altcode: 2017arXiv170102206G A new generation of solar instruments provides improved spectral, spatial, and temporal resolution, thus facilitating a better understanding of dynamic processes on the Sun. High-resolution observations often reveal multiple-component spectral line profiles, e.g., in the near-infrared He i 10830 Å triplet, which provides information about the chromospheric velocity and magnetic fine structure. We observed an emerging flux region, including two small pores and an arch filament system, on 2015 April 17 with the `very fast spectroscopic mode' of the GREGOR Infrared Spectrograph (GRIS) situated at the 1.5-meter GREGOR solar telescope at Observatorio del Teide, Tenerife, Spain. We discuss this method of obtaining fast (one per minute) spectral scans of the solar surface and its potential to follow dynamic processes on the Sun. We demonstrate the performance of the `very fast spectroscopic mode' by tracking chromospheric high-velocity features in the arch filament system. Title: Chromospheric impact of an exploding solar granule Authors: Fischer, C. E.; Bello González, N.; Rezaei, R. Bibcode: 2017A&A...602L..12F Altcode: 2017arXiv170600770F Context. Observations of multi-wavelength and therefore height-dependent information following events throughout the solar atmosphere and unambiguously assigning a relation between these rapidly evolving layers are rare and difficult to obtain. Yet, they are crucial for our understanding of the physical processes that couple the different regimes in the solar atmosphere.
Aims: We characterize the exploding granule event with simultaneous observations of Hinode spectroplarimetric data in the solar photosphere and Hinode broadband Ca II H images combined with Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) slit spectra. We follow the evolution of an exploding granule and its connectivity throughout the atmosphere and analyze the dynamics of a magnetic element that has been affected by the abnormal granule.
Methods: In addition to magnetic flux maps we use a local correlation tracking method to infer the horizontal velocity flows in the photosphere and apply a wavelet analysis on several IRIS chromospheric emission features such as Mg II k2v and Mg II k3 to detect oscillatory phenomena indicating wave propagation.
Results: During the vigorous expansion of the abnormal granule we detect radially outward horizontal flows, causing, together with the horizontal flows from the surrounding granules, the magnetic elements in the bordering intergranular lanes to be squeezed and elongated. In reaction to the squeezing, we detect a chromospheric intensity and velocity oscillation pulse which we identify as an upward traveling hot shock front propagating clearly through the IRIS spectral line diagnostics of Mg II h&k.
Conclusions: Exploding granules can trigger upward-propagating shock fronts that dissipate in the chromosphere.

Movies associated to Figs. A.1 and A.2 are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org Title: Flow and magnetic field properties in the trailing sunspots of active region NOAA 12396 Authors: Verma, M.; Denker, C.; Böhm, F.; Balthasar, H.; Fischer, C. E.; Kuckein, C.; Bello González, N.; Berkefeld, T.; Collados, M.; Diercke, A.; Feller, A.; González Manrique, S. J.; Hofmann, A.; Lagg, A.; Nicklas, H.; Orozco Suárez, D.; Pator Yabar, A.; Rezaei, R.; Schlichenmaier, R.; Schmidt, D.; Schmidt, W.; Sigwarth, M.; Sobotka, M.; Solanki, S. K.; Soltau, D.; Staude, J.; Strassmeier, K. G.; Volkmer, R.; von der Lühe, O.; Waldmann, T. Bibcode: 2016AN....337.1090V Altcode: Improved measurements of the photospheric and chromospheric three-dimensional magnetic and flow fields are crucial for a precise determination of the origin and evolution of active regions. We present an illustrative sample of multi-instrument data acquired during a two-week coordinated observing campaign in August 2015 involving, among others, the GREGOR solar telescope (imaging and near-infrared spectroscopy) and the space missions Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS). The observations focused on the trailing part of active region NOAA 12396 with complex polarity inversion lines and strong intrusions of opposite polarity flux. The GREGOR Infrared Spectrograph (GRIS) provided Stokes IQUV spectral profiles in the photospheric Si I λ1082.7 nm line, the chromospheric He I λ1083.0 nm triplet, and the photospheric Ca I λ1083.9 nm line. Carefully calibrated GRIS scans of the active region provided maps of Doppler velocity and magnetic field at different atmospheric heights. We compare quick-look maps with those obtained with the ``Stokes Inversions based on Response functions'' (SIR) code, which furnishes deeper insight into the magnetic properties of the region. We find supporting evidence that newly emerging flux and intruding opposite polarity flux are hampering the formation of penumbrae, i.e., a penumbra fully surrounding a sunspot is only expected after cessation of flux emergence in proximity to the sunspots. Title: Fitting peculiar spectral profiles in He I 10830Å absorption features Authors: González Manrique, S. J.; Kuckein, C.; Pastor Yabar, A.; Collados, M.; Denker, C.; Fischer, C. E.; Gömöry, P.; Diercke, A.; Bello González, N.; Schlichenmaier, R.; Balthasar, H.; Berkefeld, T.; Feller, A.; Hoch, S.; Hofmann, A.; Kneer, F.; Lagg, A.; Nicklas, H.; Orozco Suárez, D.; Schmidt, D.; Schmidt, W.; Sigwarth, M.; Sobotka, M.; Solanki, S. K.; Soltau, D.; Staude, J.; Strassmeier, K. G.; Verma, M.; Volkmer, R.; von der Lühe, O.; Waldmann, T. Bibcode: 2016AN....337.1057G Altcode: 2016arXiv160300679G The new generation of solar instruments provides better spectral, spatial, and temporal resolution for a better understanding of the physical processes that take place on the Sun. Multiple-component profiles are more commonly observed with these instruments. Particularly, the He I 10830 Å triplet presents such peculiar spectral profiles, which give information on the velocity and magnetic fine structure of the upper chromosphere. The purpose of this investigation is to describe a technique to efficiently fit the two blended components of the He I 10830 Å triplet, which are commonly observed when two atmospheric components are located within the same resolution element. The observations used in this study were taken on 2015 April 17 with the very fast spectroscopic mode of the GREGOR Infrared Spectrograph (GRIS) attached to the 1.5-m GREGOR solar telescope, located at the Observatorio del Teide, Tenerife, Spain. We apply a double-Lorentzian fitting technique using Levenberg-Marquardt least-squares minimization. This technique is very simple and much faster than inversion codes. Line-of-sight Doppler velocities can be inferred for a whole map of pixels within just a few minutes. Our results show sub- and supersonic downflow velocities of up to 32 km s-1 for the fast component in the vicinity of footpoints of filamentary structures. The slow component presents velocities close to rest. Title: Quiet Sun Magnetic Field Evolution Observed with Hinode SOT and IRIS Authors: Fischer, C. E.; Bello González, N.; Rezaei, R. Bibcode: 2016ASPC..504...19F Altcode: We study two physical processes that can be commonly observed in the quiet sun and involve temporal evolution of the magnetic field: convective collapse and flux cancellation. The aim is to investigate the response of the chromosphere to the magnetic events in the photosphere below. We have calibrated and aligned a co-spatial and co-temporal 3 hour quiet sun time series observed with the Hinode SOT (Solar Optical Telescope) and the IRIS (Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph) satellites. Convective collapse events are identified in the photosphere by inverting spectropolarimetric data and searching for magnetic field intensification, preceded by a downflow and accompanied by the development of a bright point in Ca II H images. We find a corresponding downflow in the low chromosphere as deduced from IRIS Mg II k and h spectra and an ensuing oscillatory velocity pattern. We use magnetograms in the high photosphere to study pairs of magnetic elements involved in flux cancellation and find an increase in the entire quasi-continuum of the IRIS Mg II k and h spectrum following the flux cancellation process and indicating a substantial energy deposit into the lower atmosphere. Title: Coimbra Solar Physics Meeting: Ground-based Solar Observations in the Space Instrumentation Era Authors: Dorotovic, I.; Fischer, C. E.; Temmer, M. Bibcode: 2016ASPC..504.....D Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Unusual Stokes V profiles during flaring activity of a delta sunspot Authors: Fischer, C. E.; Keller, C. U.; Snik, F.; Fletcher, L.; Socas-Navarro, H. Bibcode: 2012A&A...547A..34F Altcode: 2012arXiv1209.0983F
Aims: We analyze a set of full Stokes profile observations of the flaring active region NOAA 10808. The region was recorded with the Vector-Spectromagnetograph of the Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun facility. The active region produced several successive X-class flares between 19:00 UT and 24:00 UT on September 13, 2005 and we aim to quantify transient and permanent changes in the magnetic field and velocity field during one of the flares, which has been fully captured.
Methods: The Stokes profiles were inverted using the height-dependent inversion code LILIA to analyze magnetic field vector changes at the flaring site. We report multilobed asymmetric Stokes V profiles found in the δ-sunspot umbra. We fit the asymmetric Stokes V profiles assuming an atmosphere consisting of two components (SIR inversions) to interpret the profile shape. The results are put in context with Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) magnetograms and reconstructed X-ray images from the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager.
Results: We obtain the magnetic field vector and find signs of restructuring of the photospheric magnetic field during the flare close to the polarity inversion line at the flaring site. At two locations in the umbra we encounter strong fields (~3 kG), as inferred from the Stokes I profiles, which, however, exhibit a low polarization signal. During the flare we observe in addition asymmetric Stokes V profiles at one of these sites. The asymmetric Stokes V profiles appear co-spatial and co-temporal with a strong apparent polarity reversal observed in MDI-magnetograms and a chromospheric hard X-ray source. The two-component atmosphere fits of the asymmetric Stokes profiles result in line-of-sight velocity differences in the range of ~12 km s-1 to 14 km s-1 between the two components in the photosphere. Another possibility is that local atmospheric heating is causing the observed asymmetric Stokes V profile shape. In either case our analysis shows that a very localized patch of ~5″ in the photospheric umbra, co-spatial with a flare footpoint, exhibits a subresolution fine structure. Title: Fast horizontal flows in a quiet sun MHD simulation and their spectroscopic signatures Authors: Vitas, N.; Fischer, C. E.; Vögler, A.; Keller, C. U. Bibcode: 2011A&A...532A.110V Altcode: Numerical simulations of solar surface convection have predicted the existence of supersonic horizontal flows in the photospheric granulation. Recently, the detection of such flows in data from the Hinode satellite was reported. We study supersonic granular flows in detail to understand their signatures in spectral lines and to test the observational detection method used to identify these flows in the Hinode observations. We perform time-dependent 3D radiative MHD numerical simulations and synthesize the Fe i 6302 Å spectral lines at the resolution of the Hinode data for different viewing angles covering the center-limb variation. There is very large variation in the detailed shape of the emergent line profiles depending on the viewing angle and the particular flow properties and orientation. At the full simulation resolution the supersonic flows can even produce distinct satellite lines. After smearing to the Hinode resolution sufficient signature of supersonic motion remains. Our analysis shows that the detection method used to analyze the Hinode data is indeed applicable. However, the detection is very sensitive to ad hoc parameter choices and can also misidentify supersonic flows. Title: Transient events in the solar photosphere at high spatial and temporal resolution Authors: Fischer, C. E. Bibcode: 2011PhDT.......134F Altcode: The research presented in this thesis showcases some of the diverse and abundant transient events seen in observed and simulated magnetic and velocity ?elds in the solar photosphere. This thesis emphasizes the use and understanding of inversion codes to infer the magnetic and velocity ?elds from polarized spectral line pro?les. These techniques were applied to quiet sun as well as active region observations and simulations. The analysis of the small-scale magnetic ?eld evolution, as presented in Chapters II and III, sheds light on the evolution of the quiet sun magnetism. This brings us closer to understanding its dynamics and interplay with the weakly magnetized gas, which is suspected to be the root cause for the majority of the heat transfer from the photosphere into the chromosphere and corona. The data set studied in Chapter IV is intriguing as it shows the magnetic and velocity ?eld evolution during a ?are with high temporal cadence. The analysis of unusual Stokes pro?les connects the lower photosphere to the dynamics in the chromosphere and corona. The last chapter, Chapter V, shows that the comparison of highly realistic 3 D simulations with observations can tell us more about the underlying physical mechanisms of the observed spectral signatures. The study not only con?rms the validity of the theoretical model, but also exposes the violent, high-speed dynamics present in the photospheric granulation. Title: Observations of solar scattering polarization at high spatial resolution Authors: Snik, F.; de Wijn, A. G.; Ichimoto, K.; Fischer, C. E.; Keller, C. U.; Lites, B. W. Bibcode: 2010A&A...519A..18S Altcode: 2010arXiv1005.5042S Context. The weak, turbulent magnetic fields that supposedly permeate most of the solar photosphere are difficult to observe, because the Zeeman effect is virtually blind to them. The Hanle effect, acting on the scattering polarization in suitable lines, can in principle be used as a diagnostic for these fields. However, the prediction that the majority of the weak, turbulent field resides in intergranular lanes also poses significant challenges to scattering polarization observations because high spatial resolution is usually difficult to attain.
Aims: We aim to measure the difference in scattering polarization between granules and intergranules. We present the respective center-to-limb variations, which may serve as input for future models.
Methods: We perform full Stokes filter polarimetry at different solar limb positions with the CN band filter of the Hinode-SOT Broadband Filter Imager, which represents the first scattering polarization observations with sufficient spatial resolution to discern the granulation. Hinode-SOT offers unprecedented spatial resolution in combination with high polarimetric sensitivity. The CN band is known to have a significant scattering polarization signal, and is sensitive to the Hanle effect. We extend the instrumental polarization calibration routine to the observing wavelength, and correct for various systematic effects.
Results: The scattering polarization for granules (i.e., regions brighter than the median intensity of non-magnetic pixels) is significantly larger than for intergranules. We derive that the intergranules (i.e., the remaining non-magnetic pixels) exhibit (9.8±3.0)% less scattering polarization for 0.2 < μ ≤ 0.3, although systematic effects cannot be completely excluded.
Conclusions: These observations constrain MHD models in combination with (polarized) radiative transfer in terms of CN band line formation, radiation anisotropy, and magnetic fields. Title: Inversions of High-Cadence SOLIS-VSM Stokes Observations Authors: Fischer, C. E.; Keller, C. U.; Snik, F. Bibcode: 2010ASSP...19..515F Altcode: 2010mcia.conf..515F We have processed full-Stokes observations made with the SOLIS-VSM using Fe I 630.15 and Fe I 630.25 nm. The data have high spectral and temporal resolution, moderate spatial resolution, and large polarimetric sensitivity and accuracy. We use the code LILIA, an LTE inversion code written by Socas-Navarro (2001), in order to invert the data in vector magnetic fields. The 180-degree ambiguity in magnetic field orientation is solved by using the Non-Potential Field Calculation (NPFC) method of Georgoulis (2005). The output product are maps of the fullmagnetic field vector at the photospheric level, as illustrated in Fig. 1. We performed such inversions for observations of active region NOAA 10808 taken during an X-class flare in September 2005. Details of the data processing and the first results are given in the proceedings of the Fifth Solar PolarizationWorkshop (ASP Conf. Ser., in press). Title: Statistics of Convective Collapse Events in the Photosphere and Chromosphere Observed with the HINODE SOT Authors: Fischer, C. E.; de Wijn, A. G.; Centeno, R.; Lites, B. W.; Keller, C. U. Bibcode: 2009ASPC..415..127F Altcode: Convective collapse, a theoretically predicted process that intensifies existing weak magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere, was first directly observed in a single event by Nagata et al. (2008) using the high resolution Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) of the Hinode satellite. Using the same space telescope, we observed 49 such events and present a statistical analysis of convective collapse events. Our data sets consist of high resolution time series of polarimetric spectral scans of two iron lines formed in the lower photosphere and filter images in Mg I b2 and Ca II H. We were thus able to study the implication of convective collapse events on the high photospheric and the chromospheric layers. The physical parameters from the full Stokes profiles were obtained with the MERLIN Milne-Eddington inversion code. For each of the 49 events we determined the duration, maximum photospheric downflow, and field strength increase. We found event durations of about 10 minutes and field strengths of up to 1.65 kG. Title: Statistics of convective collapse events in the photosphere and chromosphere observed with the Hinode SOT Authors: Fischer, C. E.; de Wijn, A. G.; Centeno, R.; Lites, B. W.; Keller, C. U. Bibcode: 2009A&A...504..583F Altcode: 2009arXiv0906.2308F Convective collapse, a theoretically predicted process that intensifies existing weak magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere, was first directly observed in a single event by Nagata et al. (2008, ApJ, 677, L145) using the high resolution Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) of the Hinode satellite. Using the same space telescope, we observed 49 such events and present a statistical analysis of convective collapse events. Our data sets consist of high resolution time series of polarimetric spectral scans of two iron lines formed in the lower photosphere and filter images in Mg I b{2} and Ca II H, spectral lines that are formed in the high photosphere and the lower chromosphere, respectively. We were thus able to study the implication of convective collapse events on the high photospheric and the chromospheric layers. We found that in all cases, the event was accompanied by a continuum bright point and nearly always by a brightening in the Ca II H images. The magnesium dopplergram exhibits a strong downflow in about three quarters of the events that took place within the field of view of the magnesium dopplergram. The physical parameters from the full Stokes profiles were obtained with the MERLIN Milne-Eddington inversion code. For each of the 49 events we determined the duration, maximum photospheric downflow, field strength increase and size. We found event durations of about 10 min, magnetic element radii of about 0.43 arcsec and 0.35 arcsec, before and after the event, respectively, and field strengths of up to 1.65 kG. Title: Vector Magnetic Field Inversions of High Cadence SOLIS-VSM Data Authors: Fischer, C. E.; Keller, C. U.; Snik, F. Bibcode: 2009ASPC..405..311F Altcode: We have processed full Stokes observations from the SOLIS VSM in the photospheric lines Fe I 630.15 nm and 630.25 nm. The data sets have high spectral and temporal resolution, moderate spatial resolution, and large polarimetric sensitivity and accuracy. We used the LILIA, an LTE code written by \citet{fischer_Navarro2001} to invert the data. We also applied the non-potential magnetic field calculation method of \citet{fischer_Manolis2005} in order to resolve the 180 degree ambiguity. The output are maps of the full magnetic field vector at the photospheric level. Here we present the first inversions of the active region NOAA 10808 during an X-class flare, which occurred on 13 September 2005.