Abstract From the observed vector magnetic fields by the Solar Optical Telescope/Spectro-Polarimeter aboard the satellite Hinode, we have examined whether or not the quiet Sun magnetic fields are non-potential, and how the G-band filigrees and Ca II network bright points (NBPs) are associated with the magnetic non-potentiality. A sizable quiet region in the disk center is selected for this study. The new findings by the study are as follows. (1) The magnetic fields of the quiet region are obviously non-potential. The region-average shear angle is 40◦, the average vertical current is 0.016A m−2, and the average free magnetic energy density, 2.7×102 erg cm−3. The magnitude of these non-potential quantities is comparable to that in solar active regions. (2) There are overall correlations among current helicity, free magnetic energy and longitudinal fields. The magnetic non-potentiality is mostly concentrated in the close vicinity of network elements which have stronger longitudinal fields. (3) The filigrees and NBPs are magnetically characterized by strong longitudinal fields, large electric helicity, and high free energy density. Because the selected region is away from any enhanced network, these new results can generally be applied to the quiet Sun. The findings imply that stronger network elements play a role in high magnetic non-potentiality in heating the solar atmosphere and in conducting the solar wind.

Keywords Sun: magnetic fields — Sun: photosphere— Sun: network bright point

null