On rotational patterns of the solar magnetic field

We analyze solar magnetic field variations (NSO/Kitt Peak data) through solar cycle 23 wi th respect to rotational modulations. A comparative study to solar cycles 21 and 22 is pe rformed. The results are compared to the rotational behavior of activity tracers like Sun spot Numbers and solar flares. Periodical occurrences of flares often match the 27-day so lar rotation due to recurrent stable sunspot groups and complexes of activity which likel y produce more flare events than short-living small sunspots. However, periods with stron g deviations from the solar rotation are obtained for higher energetic flares. The solar magnetic field is found to vary on similar time scales, which suggests a close relation t o the occurrence of strong flare events.