Measuring the surface magnetic fields of magnetic stars with unresolved Zeeman splitting

Abstract

Aims. High-dispersion, archival spectra of magnetic Ap stars with resolved Zeeman components in Stokes I are used to derive a simple relation that can be utilised to estimate the mean surface field strengths of stars with v sin i ≳ 10 km s-1. Methods. For each star, the mean surface field, as measured from the observed splitting in Fe ii at 6149 Å, is compared to the differential broadening of spectral lines with large and small Landé factors in order to produce a relation to estimate the field strengths of magnetic stars with unresolved Zeeman patterns. Results. The method is shown to be reliable for rotational velocities up to about 50 km s-1 for field strengths down to about 5 kG. Conclusions. These results should allow for better constraints to be placed on the mean surface magnetic fields of Ap stars where Zeeman patterns are unresolved. © 2014 ESO.