Imaging spectropolarimetry with IBIS: evolution of bright points in the quiet Sun

We present the results from first spectropolarimetric observations of the solar photosphere acquired at the Dunn Solar Telescope with the Interferometric Bidimensional Spectrometer. Full Stokes profiles were measured in the Fe I 630.15 nm and Fe I 630.25 nm lines with high spatial and spectral resolutions for 53 minutes, with a Stokes V noise of 3 × 10-3 the continuum intensity level. The data set allows us to study the evolution of several magnetic features associated with G-band bright points (BPs) in the quiet Sun. Here we focus on the analysis of three distinct processes, namely the coalescence, fragmentation, and cancellation of G-band BPs. Our analysis is based on an SIR inversion of the Stokes I and V profiles of both Fe I lines. The high spatial resolution of the G-band images combined with the inversion results helps to interpret the undergoing physical processes. The appearance (dissolution) of high-contrast G-band BPs is found to be related to the local increase (decrease) of the magnetic filling factor, without appreciable changes in the field strength. The cancellation of opposite-polarity BPs can be the signature of either magnetic reconnection or the emergence/submergence of magnetic loops.