Polarization
HIFI offers unique capabilities for detecting linear polarization of farinfrared spectral lines, not accessible with any other instrument, particularly of water vapor. Water vapor maser emission from shocks has been predicted for, at least, nine frequencies in the HIFI range. Many of the masers will exhibit a high degree of linear polarization indicative of the direction of the local magnetic field. Paramagnetic molecules are also expected to exhibit polarization through the Goldreich-Kylafis effect that depends on both the direction of the field and radiation field anisotropies. This program is tied to Orion and Sgr B2 as these objects represent the best sources in the Galaxy to probe this effect via water emission. The observations for this program will be defined once the spectral scan data has been obtained. Martin Harwit is the coordinator for this subprogram.