New Infrared Measurements of Magnetic Fields on Cool Stars

I present a preliminary analysis of IR spectra of five K and M dwarfs and two RS CVn variables. Evidence for significant magnetic flux is found on several stars, a number of which are detected for the first time. Field strengths (B) on the RS CVn variables are lower than in the active dwarfs, consistent with the concept of pressure balance limiting B in stellar photospheres. I compare the results with previous measurements.

Infrared Measurements of Stellar Magnetic Fields

I review the advantages, techniques, and results of measurement of magnetic fields on cool stars in the infrared (IR). These measurements have generated several important results, including the following: the first data on the magnetic parameters of dMe and RS CVn variables; evidence for field strength confinement by photospheric gas pressure; support for the correlation between magnetic flux and rotation, with possible saturation at high rotation rates; indications of horizontal and/or vertical magnetic field structure; and evidence of spatial variations in B over a stellar surface. I discuss these results in detail, and suggest future directions for IR magnetic field research.