2014A&A...565A..94B

The role of magnetic fields in the star formation process is a contentious matter of debate. In particular, no clear observational proof exists of a general influence by magnetic fields during the initial collapse of molecular clouds. Our aim is to examine magnetic fields and their influence on a wide range of spatial scales in low-mass star-forming regions. We trace the large-scale magnetic field structure on scales of 10³-10⁵AU in the local environment of Bok globules through optical and near-infrared polarimetry and combine these measurements with existing submillimeter measurements, thereby characterizing the small-scale magnetic field structure on scales of 10²-10³AU. For the first time, we present polarimetric observations in the optical and near-infrared of the three Bok globules B335, CB68, and CB54, combined with archival observations in the submillimeter and the optical. We find a significant polarization signal (P≥2%, P/σ_P>3) in the optical and near-infrared for all three globules. Additionally, we detect a connection between the structure on scales of 10²-10³AU to 10³-10⁴AU for both B335 and CB68. Furthermore, for CB54, we trace ordered polarization vectors on scales of ∼10⁵AU. We determine a magnetic field orientation that is aligned with the CO outflow in the case of CB54, but nearly perpendicular to the CO outflow for CB68. For B335 we find a change in the magnetic field oriented toward the outflow direction, from the inner core to the outer regions. We find strongly aligned polarization vectors that indicate dominant magnetic fields on a wide range of spatial scales.