Abstract:
In this review we first describe briefly the techniques to formulate partial
redistribution (PRD) matrices for polarized line scattering on atoms. These matrices
have to be formulated by either semi-classical or quantum mechanical approach for
the physical process under consideration. We describe the semi-classical approach that
we have been following in our derivations. We then consider the polarized transfer
equation for line formation in three types of atomic systems and briefly present two
numerical methods to solve them. Finally, a modeling procedure is described to analyze
the polarimetric observations, taking the examples of Ca i 4227 Å line and the Cr i triplet
at 5204-5208 Å. With these examples we demonstrate that our treatment of PRD is able
to correctly account for the scattering polarization that is caused by various physical
processes.
