An inversion method for deriving physical properties of a subsurface magnetic field from surface magnetic field evolution I. Application to simulated data

We present a new method for solving an inverse problem of flux emergence which transports subsurface magnetic flux from an inaccessible interior to the surface where magnetic structures may be observed to form, such as solar active regions. To make a quantitative evaluation of magnetic structures having various characteristics, we derive physical properties of subsurface magnetic field that characterize those structures formed through flux emergence. The derivation is performed by inversion from an evolutionary relation between two observables obtained at the surface, emerged magnetic flux and injected magnetic helicity, the former of which provides scale information while the latter represents the configuration of magnetic field.