Magnetic alignment of grains
R. H. Hildebrand;
ApLC, 1988, 26, 263
ABSTRACT:This paper reviews mechanisms that have been proposed to account for alignment of dust grains in diffuse clouds and in dense clouds.
The
mechanisms that have proved inadequate are considered, including alignment by
nonmagnetic and magnetic processes.
The results thus far favor the
Davis-Greenstein mechanism, in which paramagnetic relaxation of spinning grains
removes components of rotation perpendicular to the magnetic
field.
Polarization measurements showing the alignment of grains in cool dense clouds are
discussed.
KEYWORDS: cosmic dust, interstellar magnetic fields, magnetic effects, molecular clouds, ferromagnetism, infrared astronomy, paramagnetism, polarimetry, thermal emission, zeeman effect
PERSOKEY:polarisation, dust, fir, submillimeter, magnetic field, ,
CODE: hildebrand88