This thesis presents an analysis of small magnetic structures found in the solar photosphere observed by the spectropolarimeter aboard the Hinode satellite. The investigations contained in the thesis conclude that:
(1) Internetwork magnetic fields on the disc centre of the quiet Sun are invariant between November 2006 and May 2012 and support a local dynamo scenario as the principal source of these fields.
(2) Magnetic fields forming plage regions near sunspots have typical field strengths of 1.5kG, inclinations of 10° – 15° and expand with height. Furthermore, these magnetic fields are surrounded by rings of downflows with speeds of 1 – 3km/s, which in turn harbour weaker fields, typically 100G, bearing the opposite polarity of the main plage fields.
